Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's visit to People's Republic of china has proved very successful and historic as well. Prime Minister, immediately after assuming office had urged the international community, particularly the neighboring countries, to provide 'moral and physical' support during the 'historic transition' of Nepal. The five-day's formal visit to China by the first elected Prime Minister of Republican Nepal was in his own words 'a complete success' even though the visit was non-political, scheduled mainly to attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabo have offered to provide every possible help to Nepal for its stability and development in their meting separately with Prime Minister Prachanda. Chinese Prime Minister Jinbao's statement that China respects the social system and way of development Nepal had chosen according to its situation is indeed the sentiment of a good friend. Visibly, China is always in favor of political stability and economic development in Nepal through joint efforts of all political parties and has retreated to further the reciprocal cooperation in various fields that would benefit the two peoples. In response, retreating Nepal's stand in favor of China's efforts to maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity, PM Prachanda said the friendship between China and Nepal had endured the test of time. "Historic changes are taking place in Nepal's domestic situation. The Nepali government and people are striving for national stability and economic development, and hoped to get support and cooperation from China," he said. As stated by Prime Minister Prachanda, if Nepal utilizes the opportunities well, the creation of new history and economic revolution could be started soon. The Chinese government's commitment to continue to provide every possible help in Nepal's economic and social development and promote the long term and stable development of Nepal-China good neighborly partnership has indeed a great value. Obviously, these two countries could contribute to regional peace; stability and prosperity if maintained close communication and cooperation. Nepal might be more benefited from the prospective of economic development of China, promoting our national interest, however, there is a close boarder surrounded by mighty Himalayas.
The meeting with the guests only from Nepal and Japan amongst more than other 100 head of the states and governments including those from supreme powers was obviously significant. Nepal received this honor because 'Nepal and China are good neighbors, good friends and good partners' as stated by Chinese President Jintao noting, the two countries have established a good neighborly partnership and enjoyed friendship generation upon generation. Apparently, Chinese government has always respected the social system and course of development chosen independently by the Nepalese people and supports the efforts in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity without any interference. For the reason, having a long common border in the north we have no any problem with China, as we have with the southern neighbor. Nepal neither has felt any hegemony nor any kid of encroachment. China has never interfered Nepal's internal issues as some of the diplomats and countries do frequently.
Despite of the fact that the visit was of a nonpolitical nature, dissatisfaction expressed undiplomatically by the southern neighbor India on Prachanda's visit to China prior to India has badly hurt again the sentiment of all the Nepalese people. Ignoring the commitment that Nepal would follow the Panchasheel in building our relations with all the countries including our neighbors made by Prime Minister Prachanda, India and its supporters in Nepal has been revealed inappropriate dissatisfaction. Such dissatisfaction terming the visit as a departure from tradition where India has been the first port of call for most previous top Nepalese leaders is ill fated as well as interference in Nepalese sovereignty as well.
Newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs Upendra Yadav has rightly defended Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's tour to China, saying the visit is meant to represent the country in the closing ceremony of Beijing Olympic and not intended to keep India at a distance. He added that the visit would help consolidate the ties between the two countries emphasizing that the new government will work towards maintaining equidistance between the two giant neighbors- India and China. Indeed, the dynamics of diplomatic ties will change in the new context and as stated by Minister Yadav, government will maintain balanced relations with the neighbors. He also has cleared that new government would not entertain the past practices of breaching diplomatic norms of foreign diplomats. "Foreigners did try to influence Nepal's politics. We will now create a situation wherein such things will not happen," foreign Minister Yadav said.
Frequently in the past too, the remarks and statement made by some Indian leaders, security advisor, newspaper columnists and even by some bureaucrats have irked Nepalese sentiments, contributing to anti-Indian feelings among the Nepali people. Indian leaders and diplomats are repeatedly seen interfering in our internal affairs and giving statements beyond international norms which directly interfere in the country's sovereignty. Depiction of such hegemonic self-image and the hobby of seeing all south Asian countries as an "Indian Sub-continent" as their Masters during British colonial rule did to them intended to see as 'Protectoral states', the crisis of confidence and level of mutual trust is increasingly eroding. These are the main reason causing distrust and problems among us. Such statement and attitude obviously is an act of interference in Nepal's internal affairs. All sovereign countries should exercise their right to take independent decision in any internal issue. Unfortunately, the mindset of superiority complex of some neighbors ignores this fact and tries to dominate the neighbors. If the government and the parties are serious enough towards the interest of the country's sovereignty and self-dignity, we would be able to give a cold shoulder discouraging them.
Obviously, Indian political leaders, bureaucrats, and intelligentsias should show their greatness and respect towards their neighbors. India is emerging as a regional leader, and obviously, it would not like to be seen as expansionist power. However, unfortunately, some of them are always strive to ruin even good and friendly relations between the people of these two countries. India could greatly alleviate the fears of other South Asian countries by conducting inter-country affairs in an equitable manner. In a pluralistic, open society, a foreign country and observer cannot be dictating changes. India could greatly alleviate the fears of the other South Asian countries by conducting inter-country affairs in an equitable manner. Rather they should consider revising unequal treaties and understanding like Saptakoshi high dam that has made hundreds of thousand Nepalese people homeless. If the Indian side had carried out repair of the damaged embankment and opened the outlet gates in the Koshi barrage on time, the massive damage could have been averted. This negligence has caused not only the people of Nepal but the people of Bihar in India are suffering from the flooding and inundation caused due to the breach of the embankment. Therefore, experts rightly have said it was not a natural but man-made disaster, a by-product of the unequal treaty. India now has to think seriously of getting ride of past its mind-set inherited by the colonial British India and help mutual benefit respecting self-respect of the neighboring countries.
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