Support through Other Means

Sujeet Arjel

The Nepalese expatriates, friends of Nepal and associated organizations in various countries have been involved in supporting developmental activities in various sectors throughout Nepal for a long time, and their efforts has benefited locals in many different ways. With the growing number of expatriates each year, developmental support, sector and locations have also increased in Nepal through this channel. However, what is no less frustrating to this group of people than those living in Nepal

is the pace of progress challenged by political parties insincere (in actions) for the development of the country, those pursing ethnic agendas more aggressively compromising national interests, and those political groups and activist in disguise promoting alien interests more prominently than their own regional issues.

In the US, Nepalese expatriates meet twice a year under different banners, annually; invite politicians and other prominent personalities from Nepal and Nepal experts from across the US and elsewhere, to discuss current political and other pertinent issues and share with attending participants from across the country. Cause for political impasse and Nepal’s underdevelopment are also identified, discussed and various solutions get proposed. Often times, the activities of the various political parties and their leaders are discussed, but what seems to be missing most of the time is the role of India in shaping Nepal’s politics.

This is a topic not commonly discussed in the mass medium in the past, therefore, it gave the impression that no issues existed.

However, when these issues are actually being brought up fairly through various mass media, friends in India and outside are often reluctant to believe or even accept any improper dealings with Nepal by the Indian government. Thanks to the efforts of Indian mass medium that have succeeded in mobilizing country’s population and their expatriates to think the way the central government wants to, and not wonder how things are viewed on the other side. When the Nepalese mass medium continued to decry the open interference by India in the recent past through their representative Rakesh Sood, who was actively making political comments, visiting politicians and ministers’ bedroom at odd hours in Kathmandu not a single news story was covered in Indian news paper. However, when the incumbent Prime Minister was named as the next prime minister, the Indian media feed their people with false information like Madhav Nepal – India born Prime Minister, and et al.

While this topic continues to dominate Nepal’s politics, it divides the country’s population, the expatriates and friends of Nepal to various thoughts, but the bottom line remains the same – Nepal remains underdeveloped. While the Nepalese Diasporas continues their support to Nepal on various sectors, there is now an urgent need to explore new avenues that would support Nepal as a State, which could help in advancing Nepal’s interests outside.

The Indo-Nepal Treaty 1950, India’s interests in investing Nepal’s water resources, the Indian occupation of Nepalese lands, the atrocities of Indian forces along Indo-Nepal border, the deployment of Indian troops along the Nepalese border and others have always remained a concern for the Nepalese people. While some politicians talk straight on this issue (when not in the government), others try to getaway with this topic, but none fail to refer these issue to their advantage while projecting others as non-nationalist.

Only those in the government talk real and provide reassurances– all contending issues needs to be discussed with Indian government, and would be initiated through a proper diplomatic channel, however, no progress is made public after such comments. But the assault on people living in the border areas continues, every month new reports on land encroachment on different place makes a headline, and the opposition finds a way to assault on the government of the day; and this is just another day.

The expatriates can explore on how best they can provide support to the genuine issues Nepal is facing, through scheduled gatherings and an annual conferences like the one held in Oakland, CA during the July 4, 2009 and the upcoming convention in Raleigh, NC during the Labor Day weekend (September 5-7, 2009).

Organizing protests program in front of the Indian embassies and their other missions abroad, sending emails protesting the land encroachment, writing in foreign papers, and appealing to various Human Rights group about the atrocities committed by the Indian security forces and others can be, but an example of what probably can be done to ensure support for Nepal’s case.

Various norms and rules have been set for deploying troops across the international border, and it appears that when it comes to India deploying their troops in Indo-Nepal border, those norms don’t matter. Can those involved in the legal profession come up with a way to help bring this non-compliance to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and work out a compensation for those victims in Nepal? Like wise, can the construction of dams along Indo-Nepal border be brought to this court for trail and review?

In the same manner, can a means be explored for those groups and political parties that involve in violent agendas and recruit and employ child soldiers, to trail them in ICJ?

If these means don’t directly help for the development of the country, it would at least expose what the world’s largest democracy is doing to Nepal, and at the same time, prevent violent groups to recruit child soldiers that would otherwise help a generation of young people engage in constructive development of their life and the State.

Since Nepal’s development is dependent on India’s cooperation; hence working fairly with Indian government is the best way to ensure development. Let the government of Nepal handle the diplomatic channel, Diasporas can be supportive to the government’s effort in building a healthy relations with India for Nepal’s development and for the regional peace. This should not be, however, construed as submitting to India’s unfair actions like constructing dams and deployment of troops in the border, and others, but more a civilized way of resolving an outstanding issue.

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