The unfolding political stability in Nepal ever since the peace deal arrived between the reinstated civilian government and the Maoists provides ample opportunity for real democracy to return to the Himalayan Kingdom. The bliss that the world had come to associate this tiny kingdom with had been shaken because of the internal political contradiction—the popular civilian government on the one hand straddled against the vestige of the old monarchy stalling the process towards parliamentary democracy and the rising upsurge of the Maoists across rural Nepal. It was only natural that in such a scenario, the Monarchy would have had to give way to the winds of change sweeping the kingdom. Not surprisingly it is welcome to witness once again history in the making as people’s power is slowly but surely transforming the archaic political system. The manner in which protestors—after King Gyanendra seized sweeping power in February last year—have taken to the street in thousands cutting across social and political divide gave credence to the belief that restoration of a people-centered democracy was the only way the crisis could be resolved. Now that the much desired change is taking place, for India, it should come as a huge relief in more ways than one.
What is now being witnessed in Nepal is strikingly close to the Pro-democracy protest movement in Myanmar against the military junta’s hold on power. A similar situation prevails in Pakistan in which a military dictator has acquired political legitimacy through open manipulation of the country’s political process. Other neighbors to India such as Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri-Lanka are likewise at a nascent stage of learning democracy and there is always the lurking danger that the emerging States in the region may find themselves falling into a crisis of legitimacy and political upheaval. The Nepal peace deal should therefore come as a big boost for the region’s stability.
For India, the future of the Nepal State is of strategic importance. Despite its small size, Nepal’s strategic location has made it a buffer between China and India. India’s good relation with Nepal is therefore extremely vital. With China and Pakistan to deal with, the recent stabilizing factor in Nepal will allow New Delhi to address its security concern far better. Activities from within Nepal inimical to India’s interest including the ISI threat to its internal security as also the stand of the Maoist groups whose support for the Naxaliltes in India is well known, will all be hopefully addressed bilaterally with the new changeover in Kathmandu.
Due credit should also be given to the political leadership in Nepal for pushing the peace process with the Maoist groups and bringing them into the political mainstream. As far as the monarchy is concerned, its role must be one of a constitutional figure head working in conjunction with the civilian government as duly elected by the people through free and fair elections. India’s role at the same time has to go beyond the kingdom of Nepal. If New Delhi has genuine concerns over the development in Kathmandu, there is no reason why it should continue to remain a mute spectator to similar protests taking place in Myanmar since the last two decades. As the world’s largest democracy, much responsibility lies on India to take initiative in restoring people-centered institutions across its immediate geographical frontiers.
