In recent months Nepal has faced far too many problems than it deserves. The prolonged Madhesi protests demanding equal rights and territorial representation has been resented by the parochial leadership in Kathmandu, comparable to the pre-democracy era in the country. This kind of scenario prevailed under the rule of King Mahendra, and Nepal-India relations during that period was at a low as well. It was the Indian blockade of 1969 that resulted in Nepal’s first trade deal with China. But the then prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi acted like a statesman during that time—unlike the present leadership in New Delhi, who has aggravated the problems with Nepal.

In 1989, India again imposed a trade embargo on Nepal which lasted for more than a year. And this was a big foreign policy blunder made by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The reason for this blockade was Nepal’s alleged arm imports from China. Even though India’s apprehension was justifiable to an extent, imposing a blockade on the entire country for something done by king Birendra was uncalled for.

The striking resemblance of the events that transpired in 1969, 1989 and now in 2015 is not only indicative of the difficult relation shared by India-Nepal but also the insensitivity of the ruling regimes in Kathmandu and New Delhi towards the Nepali people. With the current blockade the Narendra Modi government that fashioned a dramatic show of goodwill last year and during the massive earthquake in Nepal, has harmed the basic tenets of the delicate relationship between India and Nepal.

Do not lose focus

A constitution is supposed to be a flexible document. India’s constitution is a good example. Therefore, this is no time for the stubborn political players and journalists in Nepal to complicate the issue. The problem faced by the country can be easily resolved by abandoning the inherent biases of a few. Nepal is heading towards a grave humanitarian crisis, with millions affected through earthquake and now from the blockade. Thus, it not the time for Prime Minister KP Oli to indulge in diplomatic games as Nepal’s tilting towards either China or India is a ‘non-issue’ for the thousands of people who are bereft of essential commodities.

The genuine demands of the Madhesis are being overlooked by the government. But the current crisis cannot be resolved without addressing them. Further, the agitators, especially the elites of the Madhes are making matters worse. Regardless, the Nepali government should immediately amend the constitution and normalise its trade and diplomatic relations with India.

Indian negligence

The last months of civil strife and India’s shrewdly imposed ‘blockade’ has affected Nepal more adversely than the earthquake that took place earlier this year. Nepal has suffered an estimated loss of over $4 billion due to the blockade alone. Owing to the fuel shortage, schools have been shutdown and people are dying due to lack of medicines. But even as India’s closest ally is facing a serious humanitarian crisis, the Indian leadership and diplomatic corps are seem to be unbothered. They have failed India in Nepal. After a complete failure in dealing with Pakistan, Modi’s latest outcome in his South Asian diplomacy is an ‘alienated Nepal’. A statesman with ‘non-partition’ views is Nepal’s need of the hour. Likewise, the Madhesis should also keep their duties as citizens in mind while demanding their rights. Modi could not bring ‘Achhe din’ for Indians, barring his few rich friends—KP Oli should not tread the same path.

It seems as though the ideologues in Nepal are safe and sound while people are starving. But even in these trying times people should should work to strengthen ‘national unity’ and seek to make the country economically stronger. Maintaining a ‘client-state’ relationship with India will only harm the country.

Thakur is a New Delhi-based journalist and writer