New Delhi
16 May 2008
Cautioning India against the "games" being played by the United
States in Nepal, a former Indian ambassador has said American involvement will only
serve to pull China into the Himalayan nation.
Mr Deb Mukharji, who served as the Indian envoy in Kathmandu, on Friday told a
seminar on the "Emerging situation in Nepal: Policy options for India", organised here by
the Observer Research Foundation, that certain American actions can elicit a reaction
from China.
"If the Amercians are playing a certain kind of games to deny the Maoists legitimate
governance, this could lead to instability," Mr Mukharji said. Given the situation in Tibet,
China could choose to react differently, he added. "Then I would be worried. India should
be aware of all possibilities."
Mr Mukharji did not think China would play too proactive a role in Nepal, if the US were
not involved. However, given the increasing US involvement with the Nepalese Army,
which the Chinese may suspect would affect its position Tibet, then China might choose
to react in a manner it deems fit.
"There were elements within the Nepalese Congress egging (Girija Prasad) Koirala to
stay on as Prime Minister. Who is instigating them?" Mr Mukharji wondered aloud. He
went on to suggest that if Mr Koirala refused to budge from the prime minister's seat, it
could lead to a constitutional crisis as it would be against the people's mandate. A two-
third majority would then be needed to remove him, which would be a difficult task, he
added. Mr Mukharji hoped Mr Koirala would resort to doing so only for bargaining given
the fact that many including his daughter Sujata lost the election.
CPI National Secretary D Raja and Mr Satish Chandra, a former deputy national aecurity
adviser, also spoke on the occasion. Almost all the speakers hoped Nepal King
Gyanandra would leave the Royal Palace before May 28, on which day the Constituent
Assembly is scheduled to meet.
It was also generally agreed that India should be ready for reviewing the Treaty with
Nepal, as has been demanded by the Maoists, who have emerged as the single largest
party in the recently concluded Constituent Assembly election.
Mr Raja said India should not object to reviewing the Treaty with Nepal as she has
reviewed a similar Treaty with Bhutan. "I don't think the Indian Government will have any
objections," he said, adding the option open to India in the emerging situation is to have
"better, cordial, friendly relations" with Nepal.
Mr Raja said Nepal is going through a critical period and he hoped its people and
government would have the "sagacity and maturity" to come out victorious in their
struggle against monarchy.
Mr Satish Chandra, in turn, sought better border and infrastructure management. He
pointed out that even the roads and checkposts approved at the highest level in 2001-02
were still to be built. The infrastructure on the Indian side is much worse than on the
Nepalese side, he said.
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