Malcolm Rivera
India's reaction to Nepal's 2015 constitution has been one of concern, with the former expressing displeasure at the content and asking Nepal to make amendments to address the concerns of the Madhesis and Janjatis (minority groups in Nepal). This reaction has been viewed as surprising by many, given India's advocacy for a country's right to self-determination. The Indian government has denied asking for specific amendments but urged for dialogue to resolve differences. The constitution's impact on the bordering Terai region and the potential for violence spilling over into India are key worries for the country. India also has an interest in limiting the influence of China and Pakistan in Nepal.
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What You'll Learn
- India wants Nepal's constitution to be genuinely inclusive and not biased against the Madhesis and other Terai groups
- India wants Nepal to make seven amendments to the constitution to address the concerns of the Madhesis and Janjatis
- India wants Nepal to ensure that issues are resolved through dialogue and without violence or intimidation
- India wants to limit the influence of Pakistan and China in Nepal
- India wants political stability in Nepal so that it does not slip back into civil war
India wants Nepal's constitution to be genuinely inclusive and not biased against the Madhesis and other Terai groups
India has expressed concern about Nepal's new constitution, which has led to a souring of ties between the two countries. The Indian government has stated that it wants Nepal's constitution to be genuinely inclusive and not biased against the Madhesis and other Terai groups.
The Madhesis and Janjatis (minority groups in Nepal) have protested against provisions in the constitution that they fear will impinge on their cultural identities, particularly the reorganization of provinces. The Madhesis largely inhabit the plain regions that border India, and they, along with the Tharu ethnic minority, make up nearly 40% of Nepal's population. They have expressed concern that the proposed boundaries of the new provinces could lead to their political marginalization.
India's concern stems from the fact that it shares a 1,751km (1,088-mile) open border with Nepal and that there is a close ethnic tie between the Madhesis and people in India. There is also a fear that the violence in the Terai region of Nepal could spill over into India. India has urged Nepal to make amendments to the constitution to address these concerns.
However, some have criticized India's response as overstepping the limits of suggestion and trying to impose its views on its smaller neighbor. India has repeatedly advocated for a country's right to self-determination, but its actions towards Nepal seem to contradict this. India must respect the will of the Nepali people and the democratic process through which the constitution was drafted and adopted while also considering the potential impact of the violence and political marginalization of the Madhesis and other Terai groups on its own territory.
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India wants Nepal to make seven amendments to the constitution to address the concerns of the Madhesis and Janjatis
India has expressed concern about the 2015 Nepal Constitution, which is seen as not inclusive enough of the Madhesis and Janjatis/Janjati—two ethnic minority groups that together comprise almost half of Nepal's population. These groups inhabit the plain regions bordering India and have expressed fears that the new constitution's proposed boundaries of the provinces could lead to their political marginalization. Indeed, members of these communities boycotted the vote on the constitution.
India wants Nepal to make seven amendments to the constitution to address these concerns. However, India's request has been criticised as an attempt to impose its views on its smaller neighbour, especially as it came just a day after the constitution was passed. Nevertheless, India's concerns may be genuine, given the close ethnic ties between the Madhesis and people in India, and the fact that violence in Nepal could spill over into India.
The specific amendments that India has asked for are unclear, but they likely relate to the reorganization of provinces. India has also urged the Madhesi parties to end their boycott of coming provincial elections. In addition, India has more general goals in its relationship with Nepal, including bringing political stability to the country and limiting the influence of China and Pakistan.
The 2015 Nepal Constitution is the country's seventh constitution since 1948 and came into effect on 20 September 2015, replacing the Interim Constitution of 2007. It is a rights-based constitution that includes commitments to a multi-party democratic system, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, adult franchise, and press freedom, among other things.
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India wants Nepal to ensure that issues are resolved through dialogue and without violence or intimidation
India's reaction to Nepal's new constitution has been one of concern, with New Delhi asking Nepal to address the issues of the Madhesis and Janjatis (minority groups in Nepal) through amendments. These groups, which comprise almost half of Nepal's population, inhabit the plain regions bordering India and fear that the new constitution will impinge on their cultural identities and marginalise them politically. The Indian government has urged Nepal to ensure that issues are resolved through dialogue and without violence or intimidation, out of concern that violence could spill over into Indian territory.
The Indian Express reported that India had asked Nepal to make seven amendments to its constitution, a claim that the Ministry of External Affairs denied. However, India did express its displeasure with the content of the constitution and sent Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on a diplomatic mission to Nepal to address its concerns. India's reaction has been viewed as overstepping the limits of suggestion and attempting to impose its views on its smaller neighbour.
The new constitution has triggered alarm bells in India due to fears that it could spur violence. The constitution defines Nepal as a secular republic divided into seven federal provinces, and India believes it is not broad-based enough and does not adequately represent a significant fraction of the population. The Madhesis and Janjatis communities have strongly protested against certain provisions, and around 60 members from these communities boycotted the vote on the constitution.
India's strong reaction is partly due to assurances made by Nepalese leaders that their concerns would be addressed, which did not happen. Additionally, India has multiple and sometimes contradictory goals in its relations with Nepal, including political stability in the region and limiting the influence of China and Pakistan. India must respect the democratic process through which the constitution was drafted and adopted while also ensuring that the Nepalese constitution is genuinely inclusive and addresses the concerns of all its citizens.
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India wants to limit the influence of Pakistan and China in Nepal
India has had a long history of involvement in Nepal's politics, with the Nepalese Citizenship Act of 1952 granting Indians the right to immigrate to Nepal and acquire Nepalese citizenship without much difficulty. This, along with the establishment of an Indian military mission in Nepal in 1952, led to growing resentment in Nepal. In 1962, several restrictive clauses were added to the Nepalese constitution to curb the influence of India.
In recent years, India has expressed concern over the increasing dominance of Maoism in Nepal's domestic politics, which aligns with an anti-India narrative. This, coupled with the strengthening economic and political influence of the People's Republic of China, has caused the Nepalese government to gradually distance itself from India.
Nepal's adoption of a new federal constitution has further strained ties with India. India believes that the new constitution is not broad-based and could spur violence that might spill over into its territory. India has asked Nepal to amend certain provisions to address the concerns of the Madhesis and Janjatis (minority groups in Nepal), which many have viewed as an attempt to impose its views on its smaller neighbour.
India's concerns about the influence of Pakistan and China in Nepal are also evident. The open borders between the two countries have allowed anti-India elements, allegedly sponsored by Pakistan's ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate), to gain access to India. Additionally, China's growing involvement in Nepal, primarily through economic engagement and its links with Nepal's Communists, has made India uncomfortable. China has been successful in weaning Nepal away from India's influence, with Nepali leaders believing that Chinese promises of connectivity and financial support will end their dependence on India.
To counter these influences, India has employed both security and economic provisions in its policy towards Nepal. India's role in regional and global security is shaped by complex dynamics, and its evolving relationship with Nepal is a reflection of that complexity.
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India wants political stability in Nepal so that it does not slip back into civil war
India has historically advocated for a country's right to self-determination. However, its response to Nepal's 2015 constitution has been one of displeasure and interference. India expressed concern about the potential for violence and its spillover into Indian territory, particularly in the Terai region, which has a significant Madhesi population with close ethnic ties to India. India's foreign secretary was sent to Kathmandu to address these concerns, but many viewed this as overstepping and interfering in Nepal's internal affairs.
India's primary goal in Nepal is to bring political stability to the country to prevent it from sliding back into civil war. To achieve this, India has multiple objectives. Firstly, India wants to ensure that Nepal's constitution is genuinely inclusive and does not create a polity that is biased against the Madhesi population, who comprise a significant percentage of Nepal's population and have long felt marginalized. India has urged Madhesi parties to end their boycott of provincial elections, recognizing that their participation is crucial for a representative government.
Secondly, India seeks to foster cooperation among the various political elements in Nepal to establish a functional government. India has a vested interest in Nepal's economic development, particularly in terms of infrastructure projects, which have gained even more importance due to China's Belt Road Initiative and its potential geopolitical implications in South Asia. India also has a stated goal of limiting the influence of Pakistan and China in Nepal, as it considers the region its backyard and is concerned about security issues.
Lastly, India wants to promote democratic values and principles in Nepal's constitution. While Nepal's constitution includes fundamental rights, civil liberties, human rights, adult franchise, and press freedom, India has pushed for amendments to ensure these rights are protected for all Nepalese citizens, including minority groups. India's desire for political stability in Nepal is driven by its goal of maintaining peace in the region and preventing a slide back into civil war, which could have detrimental effects on both countries.
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Frequently asked questions
The India-Nepal relationship is complex and intimate. India has been one of the major backers of Nepal's constitution-drafting process over the past decade. However, the two countries have had souring ties due to disagreements over the content of the new constitution.
India is concerned that the Nepal Constitution does not adequately address the concerns of the Madhesis, Tharus, and Janjatis, who together comprise approximately 40%-49% of Nepal's population. These groups fear that the proposed boundaries of the new provinces could lead to their political marginalization. India also worries that the violent reaction to the constitution in the bordering regions could spill over into its territory.
India has taken several diplomatic steps to address its concerns. It sent its Foreign Secretary, S Jaishankar, to Nepal for discussions with the Nepali leadership. India has also urged the Madhesi parties to end their boycott of provincial elections and focus on cross-border connectivity and power projects.
India has not officially welcomed the new constitution of Nepal. While it supports the implementation of the constitution, its public posture has been described as lukewarm. India continues to urge dialogue and a resolution of differences through peaceful means.
India has multiple goals in its relations with Nepal. It aims to bring political stability to the country, ensure an inclusive constitution that represents all groups, and limit the influence of China and Pakistan in the region. India also seeks to foster economic development and infrastructure projects in Nepal.
