timesofindia.indatimes.com
TNN
November 5, 2015
NEW DELHI: India feels the “China card” has limited utility in Nepal’s current domestic disputes and intends to consistently support the Madhesi case in order to get the Nepali leadership to offer meaningful negotiations to resolve differences over the new constitution.
Learning from past experience, the Indian establishment does not want to be seen as having “abandoned” Madhesis demanding an equitable constitution and does not seem likely to accede to expectations that it will lean on the protestors to call off the stir.
The view in New Delhi is that Madhesis have a point in their argument that if the stir is withdrawn, the pressure to redress their grievances – seen as genuine by India – will be off.
An Amnesty report pointed to “major” human rights shortcomings and criticized the federal structure for denying political representation to ethnic groups. Though India has been at odds with Amnesty in the past, the assessment matches its view of the constitution. “Nepali security forces resorted to excessive, disproportionate or unnecessary force in several clashes with protestors,” the report said.
India is also expected to make a strong statement at Nepal’s universal periodic review of the UN Human Rights Council due in Geneva on November 4.
The promise to amend the constitution to resolve issues like demarcation of provinces and reservation of top posts by descent is not seen as credible given such a change will require a two-thirds majority vote, something Madhesis are unlikely to muster.
The move to ink fuel deals with China offer temporary relief, but do not help Nepal answer its Madhesi question that is roiling an area that is around 25% of the land territory and also the agricultural bowl.
The fuel contracted with China will be increased subject to weather conditions as the winter arrives. Rather than succumb to the pressure tactics, India’s response seems aimed at driving home the point that Nepal’s hill-dominated leadership must accept the need to address the Madhesi demands.
Though at the receiving end in Kathmandu over its alleged role in blocking supplies to Nepal, the Indian side does not look keen to appease its critics at present. The “anti-India” sentiment has waxed and waned over the years and it is for Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli to put things in perspective and shape public opinion constructively.
The deaths of 45 persons, including police personnel, suggest that the matter cannot be resolved by measures to clear the Madhes blockade a few days ago that resulted in the death of an Indian citizen.
