Throw light on India's role in political transition that recently took place in Nepal.

After the efforts which spanned for almost a decade, Nepal promulgated a new constitution. It saw the transition from Monarchy to the republic. India has actively encouraged this process of transition.

  • Nepal’s political transition began in 2005. The peace process was based on 12 point agreement which was signed in New Delhi in 2005 between Nepal’s democratic political parties and the Maoists in New Delhi.
  • India’s crisis envoy had played a key role in instating of Nepal’s seven party alliances to power.
  • New Delhi also gave form support to comprehensive peace accord between seven party alliance and the Maoists. This accord Maoists to the forefront in the Nepal’s political process.
  • India also played a key role in the government formation in the subsequent years which started laying ground for the process of drafting new constitution.
  • India’s role was not just limited to government formation as it played crucial role in the peace process in particularly on the management of the former Maoist combatants cantoned in various camps. 
  • India also played a key role in deciding the future course for UN mission in Nepal.
  • India along with other powers like US was able to push for an integration which did not ‘alter the structure of Nepal Army’.
  • India had also played crucial role in getting parties to agree on the content of the constitution.
  • India even played a role of mediator to address the internal squabbles of the political parties in Nepal.
  • Indian government repeatedly pleaded with the political class of Nepal to be “flexible” and “broad-based” in its approach, and to not bulldoze its way through with the brute strength of a majority.
  • India had openly expressed displeasure after the promulgation of new constitution. New Delhi had even proposed “seven amendments” to ensure the concerns of Madhesis and Janjatis are addressed.

This active involvement of the India in Nepal constitution is perceived as interference of India in internal affairs of Nepal. This sense of alienation was used by political parties to develop nationalism based politics based on anti-India feelings. This has created a huge discontent against India in Nepal.  

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