Equi-distance Paradox

Post 1950s, world has witnessed a new face of colonialism (neo-colonialism) in which powerful states systematically uses other countries at its expense for its own benefits. During Nepal Investment Summit 2017, Chinese partnerships had assured to finance $8.3 billion in different sectors, greater than the Indian pledge of $317 million.  Both India and China are strategically trying to influence Kathmandu in their unique ways. Constant diplomatic pressure by either side will only encourage Kathmandu to align with one Asian giant. Besides, the likelihood that Nepal may entirely side towards the one country remains great security threat that both giants will not be ready to stake. 

                      Nepal’s geographical standing as a landlocked country has turned itself into hostage land, ruthlessly off-putting its international opportunities in economic, political and diplomatic relation. Physical constrictions imposed by topography have not only limited its access to outer world beyond its neighbours but also has architected the complex structure of dependency in which Kathmandu exist as ‘client state’ to its providing bystanders. Being geographical bridge, Nepal plays role of critical security ground for both China and India. In turn, it also remains under the threat of its sovereignty buffered among two South Asian giants. Nowadays Nepal seems perusing Equi-proximity towards its both neighbours, but geography as well as culture puts New Delhi closer than Beijing.  

The Himalayan country crammed between Northern and southern neighbour has been sharing very reliant relations with India since the beginning of 1950s after signing Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Lately some political circumstances forced Nepal into historical realization that India has been interfering in its domestic matters and Kathmandu slowly began to nurture relation with Beijing. Alongside such circumstance, in order to preserve sovereign identity, Nepalese ruling government were constantly duty-bound to balance the South against North. Equidistance approach became primary groundwork of its foreign policy between both giant neighbours. Despite sharing geographical and socio-cultural relations with India, the post-2008 geo-economic and political conversion in the region stimulate Nepal to turn towards China. 

In case of southern neighbour the relational magnitude seems many steps ahead because of deep etymological similarity, social as well as religious affinity, ancient bonds with geographical proximity and other spheres of domestic relation between India and Nepal — whose newly cultivating trade and economic link with China cannot absolutely outweigh Indian ties. Mainly the People-to-people relation existing among Nepal and India is way forward than contact on Chinese side.  In India, there is saying that Nepal and India has: Roti & Beti ka rista. ( Translation: Relationship of Bread & daughter). Many daughters from Himalayan country have in-lawed Indian homes, similarly thousands of Indian sons-in-laws are tributed with Neplai ‘chaurasi benjyan’ honour. Of course! History books are also inked with Nepal-China relation framed by marriage of Lichhavi princess Bhrikuti with Tibetan king Songtsän Gampo in 638 BCE. However one clichéd or over-celebrated antique ties cannot actually determine the contemporary relation between two nations.

Let’s compare the case of China-Mongolia and Nepal-India fluctuating relation. Both sects of countries share similar culture, lifestyle and especially people-to-people relation, yet sometime circumstance trigger cold conflicts between them.  In 2015 New Delhi imposed economic blockade on its small neighbour, when Nepal promulgated new constitution without addressing Madhesis issue as demanded by India. Likewise, Mongolia too follows same consequence of economic blockade after welcoming Dalai Lama against China’s interest.  Whilst ongoing Indian blockade in Nepal, china responded with petroleum supply and unlocked halted trade routes with Nepal. Similarly, amid china’s blockade in 2016, Indian prime minister grant pre-promised $1billion financial assistance to Mongolian government.  Such third party involvement policy results anti-Indian sentiment in Nepal as well anti-china sentiment in Mongolia. However, it would be great if each sect accept the reality that India cannot replace Beijing in Mongolia and China cannot substitute New Delhi in Nepal because of their shared socio-economic relation, cultural ties and physical closeness.   

The tact of diplomatic balance has been historical strategy excelled by every ruling government in Nepal, whether royal power, democrats or communist. To extract benefits from India, Nepal usually took privilege of playing “China card” – tilting to Beijing, was the shrewd way to reap favor from India. While such ultra-smart move has frequently worked in the past, it’s likely to confront new trials as balance of power witness gradual shifts resulting high possibility of Sino-Indian clash.  

In my view diplomatic relation should be balanced accordingly with context and balanced doesn’t mean absolute ‘equal’.   Many of our leaders swayed by romantic thought ignorantly use words like “Equi-distance” or “Equi-proximity” while interpreting trilateral relation with Indian and China, but the question is: Can any nation maintain Equi-distance in foreign relations? Does China have Equi-distance with India and Pakistan or has United States been able to maintain Equi-distance with Canada and Mexico?  

Thus, our leadership must accept that neither Nepal can maintain equal relationship with India and China nor Beijing can replace the multi-sectoral proximity with New Delhi. However recent Prime Ministerial visit to India marks the commencement of reframing Indo-Nepalese relations. To further open new bilateral avenues both nations will have redress the past blunders. On top, Kathmandu needs to avoid playing ‘Equi-distance game’ and, conversely, India should also stop micromanaging Nepal’s domestic politics.  

---A version of this op-ed piece appears in print on October 18, 2017 of The Kathmandu Post.>>>(http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-10-18/equidistance-is-fantasy.html)