Former diplomats, retired high ranking personnel fromthe security agencies, bureaucrats,advocates, researchscholars,experts and journalists took part in a seminar in Dehradun, the capital of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, from April 11-12 to discuss Nepal-India relationswith particular regard to subjects such as border demarcation and management, trans-border criminal activities, transnational infiltration and terrorism, demographic changes and threats to national security, cyber crime and communication and welfare concerns of the citizens of the two countries. 

Jointly organised by Neeti Anusandhan Parishad Nepal and Antarrastriya Sahayog Parishad Bharat, the seminar was a very good platform to put across our problems. Retired Indian Army Gorkha officers and Indian citizens of Nepali origin settled in Dehradun also attended the meeting.The Indian side was happy with the existing border regulating system, but most participants from Nepal said that some new effective measures had to be taken for smooth border regulation. 

There are 34 landlocked countries in the world. Nepal is one of them. Our relations with our southern neighbour, India, is unique in nature. It is characterised by religious harmony, cultural similarities and socioeconomic interdependence. There are personal inter-relationships and inter-marriages across the border. Nepal and India share an 1,850-km-long open border. These places are considered to be sensitive in terms of security to both neighbours. There are 8,553 pillars along the border. About 903 of them have been swept away by floods or have gone missing for some reason. They should be replaced without any delay.

Mother of all misdeeds

Due to the open border, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling and other criminal or terrorist activities are taking place, and they are increasing by the day. Such threats pose a great security challenge to both neighbours. In today’s world, open borders are always vulnerable. They can be misused by either side, by a third party or by any non-state actors. With advancements in technology and human intelligence, our security challenges will become more and more complex in the future. If we do not pay due attention to this issue right now, both countries may have to pay a high price in the future. 

Regarding Nepal-India border regulation, several options can be examined. We could have a maximum of only eight or nine customs points, namely Kakarbhitta, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Mahen-dranagar. All the other unnecessary border points, mainly ‘chhoti bhansars’, should be closed.

This leaves a minimum of one or two customs points in each of the proposed federal states. Currently, the open border encourages citizens residing along the border to cross to the other side for their daily needs. As a result, dependency will always remain. The open border is the mother of all misdeeds. Therefore, let us start fencing our open border gradually from both sides. This option appears to be a little bold, but it is a long-term solution and visionary approach. It will contribute to our journey towards self-reliance. Similarly, we can have adequate border points on the basis of our need with a reasonable level of physical barriers. In both cases, an ID card system should be introduced for crossing the border. This is food for thought. This will address our security challenges too.

Delhi vs Beijing

The 21st century is said to be the Asian century. China will be the world’s largest economy by the middle of the 21st century, if not earlier. After that, China will sit on the top table. In South Asia, India has a leading role to play in terms of its size, economy and population. The prospects of China building a railway to Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini under the One Belt, One Road Initiative (OBOR) seems viable. Likewise, India has shown interest in extending its rail line from Raxaul to Kathmandu. A fast track linking Kathmandu and the Tarai is being constructed by the Nepal Army, and it will bring us closer. 

We have stronger people-to-people relationswith India than with China, and our dependency on the southern neighbour is greater too. Even the Chinese leader Mao Zedong had accepted that Nepal’s relations with India were closer due to its geographical situation and cultural proximity. As a result, Nepal’s political leaders have no choice but to visit Delhi more frequently than Beijing. Nepal would like to seek more assistance from the northern and southern neighbours as they are the world’s second and third largest economies respectively. If India hesitates to engage in economic activities in Nepal, that space may be utilised by others. Nepal must seek connectivity as well as investment from its northern neighbour because Nepal has had a bitter experience of being hit by four blockades by India in recent history. 

There is a trust deficit which is a major hurdle to strengthening Nepal-India relations. Confidence restoration measures among the young generation are highly required. To be a good friend, one must think of others instead of seeking benefits for oneself only. There should not be any political aim to change our social harmony. In this endeavour, India should show magnanimity towards small neighbours.

Regarding the 1950 Nepal-India treaty, no side should make any hasty decision while reviewing it. Each and every aspect has to be scrutinised or vigorously discussed. Our strategic vision must make both sovereign neighbours happy and be 21st-century friendly. Once the1950 treaty is successfully reviewed, it will pave the way to furthering our relations. If Nepal repeats past mistakes, it will be like from the frying pan into the fire. The Tarai region is Nepal’s belly; it is a vibrant economic belt. Without the belly, biologically, one cannot survive. This is a law of nature. No doubt, this region has great potential for agro economy, and it is a socio-economic hub besides being the centre of gravity of Nepal.

- Kandel is a retired Nepal Army major general