Mending Fences
While Syria’s fate remains uncertain, while Tunisia grapples with shifting glory and Egypt attempts to regain its shattered glory, India endeavours to mend fences with her neighbours. The recent visit of Nepali Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai saw the largest democracy accommodating the Nepali Maoist regime to break the stagnation that marked the bilateral relationship. The visit of Bhattarai, who is the leader of the legitimately elected biggest party in parliament, signalled course correction from New Delhi’s policy of trying to keep the Maoists out of the power structure over the past two years.
India did well not to block the election of Bhattarai as Prime Minister by using its leverage with the Madhesi parties. The emerging rapprochement and flexibility on both sides also resulted in the signing of the PPI (Promotion and Protection of Investments) agreement, which is a significant step forward for resurgence of economic activity in Nepal. Provisions have been made in the agreement for grant of compensation to the Indian investors whose investments suffer losses owing to war, armed conflict, a state of national emergency, etc. and such investors shall be accorded treatment by the host country (Nepal), no less than the treatment accorded to its owns investors or investors of any third state. Of course, the Maoist leaders’ deserve applause for cooperation and far sightedness.
If the level of understanding and political maturity shown by both countries meets ground reality in not so far future, it would indeed pave the way for greater economic and political cooperation and harmony in the region. The small hill country has much to gain from the rising economic power of India, and India can benefit from peace across the border and the world can do with less strife and rivalry.
