Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli with a strong delegation of 71 members including Deputy Prime Minister, Finance and Home Minister was on a six day visit to India from 19- 24 February 2016. Prime Minister’s first visit to India as has been the trend in the past is a clear massage of strong relations between both the countries. During PMs Address in Sapru House on 22 February 2016, Oli acknowledged that “in the last few months there have been many misunderstandings between our two countries.” Accordingly, he said, “We now want to get our relationship back on track.” Prime Minister Oli lauded the new Constitution and said the process has taken decades of deliberations to accommodate aspirations of the every Nepali citizen. He also reiterated the fact that the Constitution had to undergo amendments immediately after its promulgation. “It proves that the Constitution is dynamic, can be changed, amended according to demands,” He said that the Nepal government was committed to resolve all issues in the constitutional and political framework through dialogue and consensus. Talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Nepalese leader were held on Saturday.
The two leaders spoke at length about the political fallout in Nepal following the agitation against the new Constitution. Prime Minister Modi said in his statement after talks that the new Republican Constitution was brought in after years of struggle by the people of Nepal and India appreciated the contribution of the political leadership and people of Nepal. “But its success depends on consensus and dialogue. Seven agreements were signed between India and Nepal on Saturday. The more significant is India’s decision to allow transit and use of the Vishakhapatnam port for Nepal to send goods to Bangladesh. Both road and rail traffic would be allowed. This is a major step towards regional connectivity. The Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line for providing electricity to Nepal was inaugurated by the two prime ministers. The transmission supply will initially be 80 megawatts. It will be increased to 200 MW by October 2016 and hiked to 600 MW by December 2017. However, the takeaway from the current visit is not the agreements signed; it is the effort by both countries to clear the air. While clarifying the misconception on playing China card, Oli said that Nepal works with India and China “with equal friendly feelings” and has no separate policy for India and China. We believe in Peace and maintain good relations with all our neighbors. Both India and China were Nepal’s friends. Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Sunday said his visit to India was very successful and his government was ready to address any genuine problems concerning the Constitution. Although the visit of PM to India has resolved the current misconception at government level but its success will depend on action taken to address the sentiments and issues raised by the Madhesis, and neutralizing the anti-India sentiments in Nepal.
From the public comments of both prime ministers it appears that the air has been cleared for now. But there are those who remain skeptical. “Truth is, not enough has been done to address the problems of the Madhesis, the Janjatis and others. It has been too little, too late. The Madhesis and others cannot remain second class citizens, permanently dominated by the Pahari elite in Kathmandu,” said Shiv Mukherjee a former ambassador to Nepal. Both India and Nepal will make the right noises publicly. But much will depend on whether Nepal finally gives the Madhesis and other minorities’ full and equal citizenship as is their due. India’s security concerns are therefore linked with stability in the Terai. So unless people get their rights, their problems can spill over to the adjoining state of Bihar and Utter Pradesh.