EDITORIAL

Indian Indecisiveness is Troublesome

Indian influence in Nepal can never be exaggerated, much to the displeasure of some overly patriotic Nepalis. It’s all pervasive among all the actors in Nepal, including the Maoists. Although the Indian officialdom has never acknowledged that it has some ability to call shots within the Maoists hierarchy. That is quite understandable for the reason of being politically correct. That’s the geo-political reality.

There should be no trouble in accepting the reality; the trouble rather is with the way India chooses to use its influence. The frequency with which the South Bloc, the bastion of Indian mandarins, is sending mixed signals about its policy on Nepal is providing fodder for conspiracy theorists and Cynics—not a wise move for a country that already in Nepali popular imagination is perceived to have an ulterior motive behind its interest in Nepal.

In April this year Abheek Barman (in his article in Times of India) had temerity to propose an invasion of Nepal

“Actually, the only policy that makes sense for India is this: Export governance and institutions to Nepal. Run it as a protectorate. It is pointless to agonize over Katmandu’s sovereign rights.”

This obviously raises some questions: Is New Delhi trying to test waters before sending some kind of “intervention force.” Has India thought about the larger implications of its active involvement in the region?

The Indian press is free but it is also infamous at times for toeing the official line inch by inch when it comes to foreign policy, or at least that’s the belief in Katmandu’s elite circle.

India no doubt is concerned about the Nepali conflict spilling over into India (it has already in the form of huge influx of Nepalis). But its biggest anxiety is about the prospect of U.N. involvement in Nepal. The fear in New Delhi is that if United Nations is brought in the picture in South Asia, It will undermine India’s ability to call shots. More importantly it will set bad precedent for Kashmir.

The impression so far we get from New Delhi is that it wants to have the cake and eat it, too—a prospect that is becoming unlikely. It’s high time to make a judgment call. Protracting the Nepali crisis would do a service to neither India nor Nepal.