Use Nepal’s Strategic Strength
Yuba Nath Lamsal
Nepal is currently in political transition. Although Nepal has been declared a federal democratic republic - a key achievement of Jana Andolan II held in April 2006 - the gains of the popular movement cannot be formally institutionalised as the new constitution is yet to be promulgated.
A transition period is always painful for any country, marked as it is by uncertainty, confusion and instability. The transition in Nepal is already longer than envisaged earlier. And it is still not certain how long the present transition period will last. In such a situation, it is natural for some unscrupulous elements to try to take advantage of the uncertainty and confusion.
Foreign meddling
In this political crisis, both domestic and external elements are trying to reap benefit at the expense of our new found political set up and also our national interest. The feudal and regressive elements are trying to revive and regain their lost laurels. Some external forces, too, are active in Nepal, blatantly violating accepted international norms and values of diplomacy. Most of the countries having diplomatic relations with Nepal are friendly and want peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal. However, there are some countries that are trying to openly interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs.
The inability to make decisions by the power-hungry parties and politicians has, to some extent, paved the way for heightened external meddling in Nepal. But more than this, it is the desire of certain countries, especially those in our neighbourhood, to bring Nepal under their sphere of influence that is behind this situation. To add to this, some of our political parties and leaders, instead of rejecting such overtures, are seeking support and blessings from the external powers for their personal and political benefit.
While the external forces are active in trying to influence Nepal’s domestic politics and other affairs, the political parties and politicians are preoccupied with their power struggle, which is only helping to compromise on our national interest, national sovereignty and independence.
Although the Western countries also want Nepali politics to move the way they want, their activities are more sophisticated, and are within the diplomatic demarcation. However, this is not the case with some other countries, including our immediate neighbours.
While Nepal’s prolonged political crisis is the product of the game plan of the external forces on the one hand, the long transitional period has created a fertile ground for increased foreign meddling, on the other. The external forces express grave concern over each and every turn of political event, which in itself is interference in Nepal’s domestic affairs. Diplomatic missions and diplomats are not allowed to make comments on the internal affairs of other countries. However, this rule has hardly been followed and respected by the powerful countries.
The interference by the external forces and countries was not so intense in the past. During the Cold War period, Nepal was not in the spotlight. Moreover, Nepal had been able to handle its foreign policy in a delicate and sensible manner, and was successful in keeping external meddling at bay.
The Cold War was marked by ugly superpower rivalry. The two superpowers, namely, the United States of America and the Soviet Union had their own priority zones in Asia like East Asia and the Middle East. Afghanistan came to the fore only since 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Kabul. Since then, South Asia became important in international politics to achieve a balance of power.
After the end of the Cold War, the world became unipolar, and the United States became the lone superpower. The international balance of power drastically changed, and the centre of power shifted to Asia with the rise of China. India, too, is rising economically, which is reflected in its military position as well.
China and India are competing more than cooperating on many fronts. Similarly, the rise of China both economically and militarily, accompanied by its assertiveness in global affairs, has been taken by the United States as a threat to its global dominant position.
Nepal is strategically located in the present global geo-political and geo-strategic scenario, in general, and regional power balance, in particular. The world is watching China and India closely as both rise to become world powers. The developments and decisions in Beijing and New Delhi today have great impact on global affairs.
China’s rise is of concern to the Western world, especially the United States of America. The United States has adopted the policy of weakening and containing China so that America’s dominant position remains unchallenged. As a regional competitor, India, too, has joined the American bandwagon of containing China.
Both global and regional powers are, therefore, seeking a strong presence to have an upper hand in South Asian politics and balance of power. Nepal has had long and friendly relations with the United States. As the lone superpower, the United States obviously wants a strong presence in each and every country. But its increased interest in Nepal stems from its desire to keep watch and check Nepal’s two giant neighbours, more particularly China.
The United States and India are coming closer particularly because of rising China. Some analysts even dub the strategic partnership between India and the United States as a joint initiative to encircle China, for which Nepal is a strategic destination.
Whatever the reasons and logic, Nepal should by no means be allowed to be a playground for international powers. For this, Nepal’s parties and politicians must be alert and act accordingly in time. However, some events and developments have shown that some of our parties are willingly to give a free hand to the external forces to meddle in Nepal’s internal politics. If this is the case, it would be most unfortunate on our part for our sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest in the long run.
National strength
Nepal’s strategic location is our national strength, which can be properly utilised for the development of Nepal. However, the rulers in Nepal have turned our strategic strength into strategic vulnerability. Nepal should not be taken merely as a buffer state between China and India. It should be taken and utilised as a vital bridge and link between the two rising economies and global powers - China and India - and also between South Asia and East Asia. Against this background, Nepal can extract maximum benefit to serve our national interest by wisely tapping our strategic strength.
Nepal is currently in political transition. Although Nepal has been declared a federal democratic republic - a key achievement of Jana Andolan II held in April 2006 - the gains of the popular movement cannot be formally institutionalised as the new constitution is yet to be promulgated.
A transition period is always painful for any country, marked as it is by uncertainty, confusion and instability. The transition in Nepal is already longer than envisaged earlier. And it is still not certain how long the present transition period will last. In such a situation, it is natural for some unscrupulous elements to try to take advantage of the uncertainty and confusion.
Foreign meddling
In this political crisis, both domestic and external elements are trying to reap benefit at the expense of our new found political set up and also our national interest. The feudal and regressive elements are trying to revive and regain their lost laurels. Some external forces, too, are active in Nepal, blatantly violating accepted international norms and values of diplomacy. Most of the countries having diplomatic relations with Nepal are friendly and want peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal. However, there are some countries that are trying to openly interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs.
The inability to make decisions by the power-hungry parties and politicians has, to some extent, paved the way for heightened external meddling in Nepal. But more than this, it is the desire of certain countries, especially those in our neighbourhood, to bring Nepal under their sphere of influence that is behind this situation. To add to this, some of our political parties and leaders, instead of rejecting such overtures, are seeking support and blessings from the external powers for their personal and political benefit.
While the external forces are active in trying to influence Nepal’s domestic politics and other affairs, the political parties and politicians are preoccupied with their power struggle, which is only helping to compromise on our national interest, national sovereignty and independence.
Although the Western countries also want Nepali politics to move the way they want, their activities are more sophisticated, and are within the diplomatic demarcation. However, this is not the case with some other countries, including our immediate neighbours.
While Nepal’s prolonged political crisis is the product of the game plan of the external forces on the one hand, the long transitional period has created a fertile ground for increased foreign meddling, on the other. The external forces express grave concern over each and every turn of political event, which in itself is interference in Nepal’s domestic affairs. Diplomatic missions and diplomats are not allowed to make comments on the internal affairs of other countries. However, this rule has hardly been followed and respected by the powerful countries.
The interference by the external forces and countries was not so intense in the past. During the Cold War period, Nepal was not in the spotlight. Moreover, Nepal had been able to handle its foreign policy in a delicate and sensible manner, and was successful in keeping external meddling at bay.
The Cold War was marked by ugly superpower rivalry. The two superpowers, namely, the United States of America and the Soviet Union had their own priority zones in Asia like East Asia and the Middle East. Afghanistan came to the fore only since 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Kabul. Since then, South Asia became important in international politics to achieve a balance of power.
After the end of the Cold War, the world became unipolar, and the United States became the lone superpower. The international balance of power drastically changed, and the centre of power shifted to Asia with the rise of China. India, too, is rising economically, which is reflected in its military position as well.
China and India are competing more than cooperating on many fronts. Similarly, the rise of China both economically and militarily, accompanied by its assertiveness in global affairs, has been taken by the United States as a threat to its global dominant position.
Nepal is strategically located in the present global geo-political and geo-strategic scenario, in general, and regional power balance, in particular. The world is watching China and India closely as both rise to become world powers. The developments and decisions in Beijing and New Delhi today have great impact on global affairs.
China’s rise is of concern to the Western world, especially the United States of America. The United States has adopted the policy of weakening and containing China so that America’s dominant position remains unchallenged. As a regional competitor, India, too, has joined the American bandwagon of containing China.
Both global and regional powers are, therefore, seeking a strong presence to have an upper hand in South Asian politics and balance of power. Nepal has had long and friendly relations with the United States. As the lone superpower, the United States obviously wants a strong presence in each and every country. But its increased interest in Nepal stems from its desire to keep watch and check Nepal’s two giant neighbours, more particularly China.
The United States and India are coming closer particularly because of rising China. Some analysts even dub the strategic partnership between India and the United States as a joint initiative to encircle China, for which Nepal is a strategic destination.
Whatever the reasons and logic, Nepal should by no means be allowed to be a playground for international powers. For this, Nepal’s parties and politicians must be alert and act accordingly in time. However, some events and developments have shown that some of our parties are willingly to give a free hand to the external forces to meddle in Nepal’s internal politics. If this is the case, it would be most unfortunate on our part for our sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest in the long run.
National strength
Nepal’s strategic location is our national strength, which can be properly utilised for the development of Nepal. However, the rulers in Nepal have turned our strategic strength into strategic vulnerability. Nepal should not be taken merely as a buffer state between China and India. It should be taken and utilised as a vital bridge and link between the two rising economies and global powers - China and India - and also between South Asia and East Asia. Against this background, Nepal can extract maximum benefit to serve our national interest by wisely tapping our strategic strength.
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