Miscellaneous
Indian National Congress flays Modi admin for its Nepal policy
The Indian National Congress (INC) has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for its “inept handling of Nepal-India relations” in the last two years.The Indian National Congress (INC) has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for its “inept handling of Nepal-India relations” in the last two years.
The official position of the Indian opposition party comes at a time when the Modi-led government is celebrating its two years in power.
“Nepal’s growing proximity to China and opening of the possible road and railway links is a matter of concern,” the INC has said. The criticism of Modi and his government from India’s main opposition party appeared in an official party document, and “Nepal’s growing proximity to China” comes as a reference to trade and transit treaty and agreements that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli signed with China during his visit to the northern neighbour in the third week of March. The INC, however, has not clearly spelled out blockade as Modi government’s flawed policy.
Regarding India’s position on Nepal’s constitution, the Congress party has said Modi government demonstrated “ineffectiveness when it came to conveying the genuine concerns”. Two days before the promulgation of the constitution, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had travelled to Kathmandu and urged top Nepali political leaders to delay the constitution “in order to address the concerns of Madhes-based parties”.
INC leaders and lawmakers have been saying that it was a belated move on the part of the Modi government.
On the demands of the Madhes-based parties on demarcation of federal provinces, the INC has not said anything concrete. “There was ineffectiveness in meaningful response to the Madhesi protest which resulted in hardships for the people of both the countries,” the INC’s official document has said.
Ajit Kumar, a member of Nepal Cell of Indian ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, however, dismissed the INC charges, saying that Modi government is committed to maintaining cordial relations [with Nepal]. “There were some problems along the border due to internal situation of Nepal,” said Kumar. “Modi government does not want to interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs. Nepal’s development and cultural ties between two countries are the two pillars of Modi’s Nepal policy.”