Chinese Prime Minister Visits Nepal

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao paid a visit to Nepal on January 14. Wen’s trip was conducted in complete secrecy and under heavy security lockdown with police and paramilitary forces deployed in strengths in and around the capital. The security forces had as a precautionary measure detained large number of Tibetan refugees apparently to bar them from holding demonstration. The trip has proven a milestone in the development of friendly ties between the two neighboring nations
Aid To Kathmandu
During his stay, China offered $135 million in aid to Nepal to beef up its infrastructure and security during a brief surprise visit by the Chinese prime minister.
Holding hectic parleys with Nepalese counterpart Baburam Bhattarai, President Ram Baran Yadav, Maoist chief Prachanda and leaders of other parties, Wen inked as many as eight agreements amid a virtual media blackout.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Wen's trip was conducted in complete secrecy and under a security lockdown with police and paramilitary forces deployed in and around the capital. The security forces had, as a precautionary measure, detained a large number of Tibetan refugees.The delegation-level talks headed by Bhattarai and Wen were held in a cordial atmosphere and the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation.Under a series of agreements, Beijing agreed to provide massive assistance for a number of

Prachanda’s Exible Proposal To Form Maoist Government in Nepal

In an effort to lead a new government, the Maoists are making a new proposal relating to the peace process, constitution drafting and government formation. (The Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M)) Chairman (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) Prachanda announced the new proposal on 25 August, which is flexible than the ‘bottomline’ proposed by the party previously.
Prachanda's new proposal was discussed for more than three hours on 24 August at a meeting of (Maoist) officials. The standing committee (of UCPN-M) met in the morning of 25 August to give final shape to the proposal. The most contentious issue in the peace process is the issue of army integration.
Proposals Regarding Peace Process
Along with the new proposal, the Maoists have said they will continue to strive for a consensus government to the last minute even if they are contesting to lead the majority government. The formation of a consensus government could not be possible by the three days of extended deadline by Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav, leading to the election process for the prime minister beginning on 25 August. ‘The process of electing majority government began, yet our efforts would be focused on the formation of a government on the basis of political consensus, the standing committee of our party is meeting tomorrow which will bring concrete proposals regarding the peace process, constitution drafting and government and this will help facilitate the formation of a consensus government within the majority,’ Maoist Vice Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha Prakash said after the meeting.
The Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, and Madhes-based parties have informally agreed to the Maoist proposal through different ‘channels.’ The Maoist understanding is that a Maoist-led government is possible if their (other parties) suggestions are also incorporated in the proposal. The Maoist meeting has also decided to go for majority process (in forming the government).
The Maoists are announcing new proposal to take into account all sides at a time when the Congress and UML have been insisting that they would not accept the Maoist leadership so long as it does not provide a fundamental commitment to the peace process. According to a source, the new Maoist proposal is based on the discussions it had on the subject with different political parties and the informal agreement reached with them.
The Maoist preparation is to open the prospects of a government led by the party by making proposals regarding the peace process, constitution drafting and the government. The Maoist plan is to involve all parties in the government to make concrete progress in the peace process even if the formation of a majority government is a distinct possibility.
The proposal by the Maoist chairman also regrets for the failure to form a consensus government. ‘The consensus government led by the Maoists should have been formed on the basis of the proposals we had made regarding the army integration and rehabilitation, other works related to the peace process and the drafting of the constitution but we are sad that the basis for the formation of a national consensus government could not be there,’ said Vice Chairman Prakash.
The Maoist leaders had discussed that the government led by the Maoists would have made remarkable progress within short span of time since the party was unified on the question of the peace process and constitution drafting. Leaders closer to Vice Chairman (Mohan Baidya) Kiran have argued that the party should not be flexible on the question of the number (of combatants) to be integrated.
What is New Proposal?
Maoist Chairman Prachanda's proposal on the peace process, constitution drafting and government discussed at the party officials meeting on Wednesday refers to the integration of 7,000 combatants under the directorate general under the Nepal Army. There would be one brigadier general from among the combatants and the leadership would be handed over to the combatants after they complete the ‘bridge course.’ The last central committee meeting of the party had decided that the directorate general should be led by the combatant.
Similarly, it has been proposed that the central level leaders of the party now in the people's army would be given due honor by the state and they would return to politics and those (combatants) opting for rehabilitation would be given relief amount of between (Nepali rupees) NR 500,000 and NR 700,000. At present, six central level leaders of the Maoists are at the commanding level in the people's army. The proposal also mentions that the keys to the containers where Maoist arms are stored would be handed over to the army integration special committee headed by the prime minister soon after there is an agreement on the government under the Maoist leadership.
Similarly, some flexibility would be exercised regarding people's army (fighters) who opt for integration and for this an expert group would be formed from among the Maoists and Nepal Army. The Maoists have been asking for integration of between 8,000 and 10,000 combatants.
The Maoist central committee meeting that closed on 9 Saun (25 July) had decided to accept the leadership system of the directorate general for the integration, pre determine the number of combatants to be integrated, and honorable rank harmonization. Similarly, it has decided that the integration should be done on the basis of fixed units, organize the combatants as military units, guarantee honorable assignment to them, and promote democratization and inclusiveness of the security agencies.
National Security Policy
Maoist Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya Kiran had argued for the formulation of a national security policy and clear integration modality before army integration was made, 50 percent of the new force must be composed of people's army, and at least between 8,000 and 10,000 people's army should be integrated.
He also wants the new force to be deployed for border security, and argues for group integration, experience should be counted as qualification, the new force must be armed, and those opting for rehabilitation should be provided relief amount of between NR 700,000 and NR 1,000,000.

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.