And for a Friday, rekindling the civilisational Indo-Nepali relations, some thoughts….. some musings…..
Two countries with almost open borders, free passages between them and relationship best described in Hindi….. रोटी बेटी का रिश्ता, Nepal-India has fostered centuries old ties of intermingling of its people. Buddhists, Hindus, Indians, Nepalese, all linked by marriages and long lineages of family connections. The Indian Army chief is symbolically ordained as the Chief of the Nepalese Army too. Such close intercultural centuries old relationship was somewhat under strain, largely due to China’s prodding the then Communist backed Oli Govt of Nepal. Thankfully, the current PM Sher Bahadur Deuba is restoring the breaches and strengthening our relationships. A number of mutually beneficial hydro power generation and distribution agreements have been signed last week during Indian PM visit to Lumbini, wherein the Shilanyas for the establishment of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage was also performed.
The developed world is now only obsessed with the goings on in Ukraine, the arms race and selective support to its own constituencies. Poor and developing countries are facing existential crisis. For India the problems are huge and she has to find her own solutions. Sri Lanka is already on a day to day living basis and India is the only country standing by her to keep the lifeline of medicines, food and fuel supply going on. Pakistan is undergoing turmoil, with economic and political instability. Hence the need for India to ensure peace and economic stability not only in Nepal but all its neighbourhood. Consequences of civil war or country breakdowns means millions of migrants moving into India.
These are troubled times. The world has just about got over three rounds of Covid. Still the end of the pandemic is nowhere in sight. But we need to adjust to this volatility. India is leading the way in this part of the world. Let all Indians support international peace, the humane way, the mutually beneficial way, the SEEGOS way.