India Not To Remain Indifferent to Nepal in View of Prevalent Situation

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent successful India tour and now Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav's visit to the country send around the impression that India is paying due attention to its neighboring countries. It is extending monetary support to them and is desirous of cordial relations with them.

Maintaining Positive Relations
With Sheikh Hasina as prime minister, there is hope that she would strengthen relations with India, for she always favored better ties with the country. Her father Sheikh Mujibjur Rehman also maintained friendship with India. He used to feel grateful for India's support in the liberation of Bangladesh. Yet, all Bangladesh Governments formed thereafter his assassination worked against India. The India-Bangladesh relations had not been good. During this period, certain militant groups carried out anti-India activities from that country. Eventually, Hasina after coming into power not only extended friendship to India but also preferred to take action against militant groups active against India.
Likewise, Nepal also is one of those neighboring countries that by and large maintained positive relations with India. It is worth mentioning that the Maoist movement had become very strong because of the situation that prevailed there. Moreover, the Nepali Congress and other political parties also unleashed an agitation against the rule of monarchy that has been reigning supreme for a long time there.
Finally, as a consequence of collective endeavors monarchy was done away with in Nepal. Democratic order was restrained thereafter, when under the leadership of Parchanda and with the cooperation of other parties, the Maoists came into power.

New Constitution for Nepal
The Nepali Congress and other parties made all out efforts to run the country fully on democratic principles. Just as the Constitution was being given the final touches Maoist leader Parchanda developed differences with the Army Chief and other political parties and he had to step down from power. While India's relations with Parchanda had not been so cordial, he often severely criticized India because the Indian Government accorded preference to other parties. In addition, Maoists in Nepal not only developed more proximity with China but also maintained close relations with Maoists in India. The Indian Government had always been leveling the charge that Maoists of the two countries extend support to each other.
It is in this context that Nepali President Ram Baran's tour of India is being attached special significance. Ram Baran has accorded preference to the Indian democratic system in the formation of the new Constitution for Nepal. He has expressed such sentiments during his tour of India. India has promised economic support to Nepal which it needs the most now. India has also signed some agreements with Nepal for extending major cooperation to its development.

Interfere in Internal Affairs
Although India is not supposed to interfere in the internal affairs of Nepal, it can ill-afford to remain indifferent toward its neighboring country in view of the conditions prevalent there. The conditions in Nepal can impact the situation in this country.
Even as Nepal is an independent country its relations with India continue to be maintained until today. Nationals of the two countries are doing trade transactions of all types with each other. There is no restriction on the exchange of mutual visits. Nonetheless, India being a big country is supposed to fulfill its obligations toward neighboring countries. Every neighboring country looks to India with expectations. India should come up to their expectations through earnest endeavors and with a liberal approach.