Miscellaneous
After Oli’s ouster, eyes now trained on Delhi-UML relations
The ouster of the KP Sharma Oli government in Kathmandu triggered a flurry of celebratory headlines in Indian newspapers.Kamal Dev Bhattarai
The ouster of the KP Sharma Oli government in Kathmandu triggered a flurry of celebratory headlines in Indian newspapers. Indian officials appear happy to see the back of the CPN-UML-led government that had adopted a tough line on the Madhesi issue and publicly protested New Delhi’s perceived meddling into Nepal’s internal affairs.
Now, all eyes are trained on how relationship between UML and New Delhi will evolve.
“India is never against the CPN-UML. But, Oli tried to play China card against the other country. He also damaged the relation with India,” said BC Upreti, a member of Eminent Persons Group, a mechanism formed to review bilateral relation.
Indian leaders and officials maintain that even after the strained relation due to the blockade, they tried to maintain a cordial relation with the UML and the Oli-led government.
The level of respect PM Oli was extended during his visit to India and invitation to President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, according to them, were two instances of India’s efforts to amed strained ties with the UML government.
Sudhindra Bhadoria, an Indian Socialist leader who is closely following Nepal’s internal politics for three decades, said that the Indian government should continue its engagement with the UML and its leaders.
“Oli should retrospect the policy he took in the past. Similarly, Indian Ministry of External Affairs should continue engagement with the UML like other parties in Nepal,” he said.
Oli had been perceived as a UML leader close to India for the last three decades. But relations soured when he became prime minister after the promulgation of constitution. Indian politicians and diplomats blame him for creating ‘anti-Indian sentiment.’
Indian envoy meets UML chair
Kathmandu: Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae reached out to UML Chairman Oli on Sunday for their first meeting since the latter resigned as prime minister two weeks ago.
According to UML public relations secretary Bishnu Rijal, the former PM Oli told Rae that his party seeks cordial and friendly relations with the neighbouring countries. He also said his party would not accept India’s undue interference into Nepal’s internal issues.
“Chairman Oli stressed that the concerned stakeholders should be mindful as such interferences could further complicate internal politics,” read a statement issued by Rijal. Oli had been indirectly pointing towards India for the toppling of his government. Responding to the no-trust motion registered against his government at Parliament, Oli had said that “conspiracies were hatched in dark corners”.