No political scientist can guarantee which political system and foreign policy will be the most appropriate for a specific country. The people will decide a consistent political map for sustainable progress. There are various reasons why political instability prevails in many poor countries that have been troublesome from a global perspective, like North Korea which has been raising perpetual tensions on the Korean peninsula, Iran and its nuclear arming, Israel and its heightened tension and a number of least developed countries (LDCs). Any transition without the people’s agreement will be counterproductive whether it is federalism, secularism or the new Constitution in which many of us take pride.

New-year resolution

With the advent of the New Year following the end of a terrifying 2072 BS, there is a need to formulate a faultless national strategy that will lead to serenity, prosperity and development. An appropriately devised national strategy will contribute to greater development and secure national objectives. The failure to create a consistent national strategy within an appropriate political system will result in negative growth and make the people habituated to seeing a silver lining in every regime change or shift in power. A classic example of this mayhem can be found in Nepal. 

It has now been established that any move by Nepal towards a third country, whether political or diplomatic, becomes a matter of concern for our southern neighbour. The innocent people have badly suffered many times due to upheavals in foreign affairs. The year 2072 BS will recede into history, but the pain will remain unaddressed. There is also a fresh warning that a few political parties in Madhes are regrouping to resume their agitation. Ordinary citizens cannot be made to suffer due to immature statements or political moves by political leaders. The recent statement by a royalist deputy prime minister in the Mid-Western Region has also created confusion in the political sphere.

How Nepali policymakers should consider and devise our national policy appropriately for the days ahead is a question that remains unanswered by many political scholars. Nevertheless, we have not hesitated to restate the tolerance threshold of the Nepali people who suffered terribly during the long blockade by India in the past few months. We may now contemplate our basic options. Whether to remain at another country’s mercy at all times or live with distinction are the two choices available to us. At what level is our national interest compromised by these phenomena? How can unilateralism, bilateralism and, if possible, multilateralism protect our national interests? How can it be integrated into our peace and development package on a yearly basis?

Political thinkers and security experts may realise the contextual realism of the country and produce an assessment of the Maoist insurgency. The Maoist movement, which justified one’s will with force and violence that caused a colossal loss to the country, has ended in nothingness with billions of rupees spent for their safe landing. A new episode of a dissimilar model of revolution is already at our doorstep. Widespread frustration has been spread in the country by rampant corruption, unemployment, a decline in agricultural productivity due to a shortage of farm workers in rural areas, migration from the impoverished mountains and hills and the Tarai issue. If this frustration is not addressed appropriately, it could become detrimental to national security by damaging long-term national objectives.

Mutual benefit

The so-called China card is a false accusation that has been made against a landlocked country to prevent it from exploring other possibilities. National planners in both the neighbouring countries should realise that water stress is going to be a major issue in the coming century in most parts of the region. Nepal will not be an exception in this regard. In the future, there could be an acute water shortage for irrigation, drinking and hydropower in our neighbourhood. Hence, with wisdom, our mutual interest can be understood on the basis of interdependability. There are several other resources. 

Therefore, there is a need for a negotiated political settlement and trust among the countries and their peoples by acknowledging interdependency for economic growth and identifying plans for collaboration for mutual benefit. This is the essence of the regional harmony that we Nepali people should think of during the year that just started.

Sharma is a former spokesperson for the Nepal Army