Pushpita Das replies: The seeds of an ‘open’ border between India and Nepal can be found in the Treaty of Peace and Friendship which the two countries signed in 1950. Articles VI and VII of the Treaty specify that citizens of both countries have equal rights in matters of residence, acquisition of property, and employment and movement in each other’s territory; thus, providing for an open border between the two countries. These provisions allowed the citizens of India and Nepal to cross their shared borders without passport and visa restrictions.

In fact, the practice of keeping the borders with Nepal open is a British legacy which was continued by India after the independence. During the colonial times, the British required Gorkhas for their army and the Nepalese market for their finished goods. These requirements necessitated unrestricted cross-border movement of both goods and people. In addition, the rise of an assertive China and the absence of any physical barrier between India and Nepal compelled India to define the Himalayas, lying north of Nepal, as its northern barrier with China. Thus, the open border between India and Nepal not only addressed the mutual security concerns, but also fostered close socio-economic relations between the two countries.

The unrestricted flow of people over the years has resulted in the dissemination of ideas, culture, and settlements of people in each other’s territory, thereby, strengthening the bilateral social and cultural relations. The open border also has had a favourable impact on the two economies. Nepal is a landlocked country and its closest access to the sea is through India. As a result, most of its imports pass through India. As for India, it is the biggest trading partner of Nepal. An open border has also allowed many Nepalese citizens to find employment in India and Indians to open business ventures in Nepal.

Reply: Please refer to the report of the IDSA Roundtable, “Is India-Nepal-China Trilateral Cooperation Possible?”, at http://www.idsa.in/event/IsIndiaNepalChinatrilateralCooperationpossible

Anshuman Behera replies: The prolonged political crisis in Nepal has been a matter of great concern for India. Any upheaval in Nepal has a spill over impact on India. India faces two serious problems vis-à-vis the ongoing political impasse in Nepal. Some political forces think that India can and should play a major role in settling the problems in Nepal, whereas others question the legitimacy of India’s role. In recent years, the anti-India feeling in Nepal has seen a phenomenal rise. In the present context, where there is lack of trust among the political parties in Nepal, India has to be careful about playing its part in resolving the current crisis.

India had earlier played a major role in the signing of the 12-point agreement between the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists in 2005. At that time, there was a consensus among the political parties on fighting the common enemy, the King. But the political equation in Nepal this time around is completely different. There is no common enemy and at the same time there is no consensus on several key issues pertaining to the political future of Nepal. At this juncture, what India can best do is to help build a consensus among the political parties to agree on taking the process of constitution-making to its logical end. Any attempt to support or favor any political constituency by India, would create even more anti-India sentiments in Nepal.