India and China's Tug of War over Nepal

Why in news?

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is planning to hold its first-ever joint military exercise with Nepal.

What is the status of India-Nepal relations?

• India is the largest supplier of military hardware to the Nepali Army.
• Since 1950, it has been a custom for the two countries to confer honors on each other’s army chiefs,
• This signifies the close military-to-military ties between the two countries.
• Chinese military assistance to Nepal has significantly increased in recent years.
• But this is the first time that China has proposed a joint military exercise and Nepal accepted.
• The development came as Nepal is proposing to change some provisions of the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty with India.
• The treaty states that Nepal needs to inform or receive consent from India when it purchases military hardware from other countries.
• Nepal wants to change such provisions and make independent decisions on security issues, including the purchase of military equipment.

How Chinese influence grew?

• For the long time, India enjoyed almost exclusive influence in Nepal.
• But after the abolition of monarchy in 2008 China has increased their influence in Nepal, mainly on political matters.
• Relationship of India and Nepal strained during India’s interference in the Nepal’s constitution making
• After accusations of a blockade at the Nepal-India border, Nepal relied on China to meet its everyday essential needs.
• The tensions between Nepal and India provided room for China to increase its influence in all areas of Nepal, including in politics.
• Similarly, several joint Nepal-China infrastructure development projects, including the expansion of railways and road connectivity, gained momentum.

What is the new development?

• India sees the recent announcement of military exercise as China encroachment in India’s backyard.
• India wants to maintain Nepal as its “sphere of influence” while China wants to increase its influence.
• India sees this as not only related to trade and commerce, but a part of China’s larger strategy to encircle it in South Asia.

What should be done?

• There is no reason that India should worry about a Nepal-China military exercise.
• China is not the only country conducting such drills with Nepal. e.g Nepal-U.S. military drill.
• India has no right to say that Nepal cannot conduct military exercises with another partner.
•  Nepal has the sovereign right to make that decision.
• India also has its own joint military exercise with China.
• Even after NSG issue both countries conducted a 13-day joint military exercise in November 2016.
• India’s own experience with China should reassure it that joint exercises are not an indicator of converging strategic interests.
• It is unfortunate that Nepal’s government is quickly labeled as either pro-Indian or pro-Chinese.
• Nepal should be allowed to build a cordial relationship with both of its neighbors to gain the maximum economic benefits.

Category: Mains | GS-II | India & its neighborhood

Source: The Diplomat