The Nepal-India relationship

Kathmandu, Nepal, April 21 — There are many commonalities in culture, music, and other social aspects between Nepal and India. Recent musicians have shown that there are no boundaries between India and Nepal, as they share almost everything.

"It is a traditional musical instrument common to both Nepal and India and has grown in each of the countries both independently and through constant interactions. The commonalities of culture are always major assets to bring people of Nepal and India together. One cannot ignore these commonalities of culture." (Source: Spotlight)

Nepal and India have an intimate relationship, as they are close and friendly neighbors. Relations between Nepal and India have been traditionally close. Our relationship is unique.

How do we look at ethnic diversity in India and Nepal? What do we suggest to implement effective programs for the people?

A Nepali scholar, Dr. I. Arul Aram, Ph.D., said to me, "Talking about India first, there is no other nation-state on the planet that is as diverse as India. Nepali statesmen, thinkers, and political party activists must take lessons from India's success in this regard. In about 60 years of independence, Indian leaders have created institutions and the means to come up with a progressively integrated nation. The federated state structure and recognition of regional languages, secular constitution, massive educational investment, affirmative action, separation of powers and independent bureaucracy, economic liberalization, and other such bold initiatives have given the Indian state legitimacy and resiliency through turbulent times."

He also said, "There is a tendency both in India and Nepal to deny caste discrimination, or rather to take a functionalist stand of justifying the caste system in terms of the Hindu social order. Does this approach promote social harmony? Definitely not. The first step to get rid of social discrimination is to accept the fact that there is discrimination. For instance, the position of not recognizing that castes serve as a factor of discrimination, which was taken by India and Nepal at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Related Intolerance in Durban in 2001, only helps safeguard such unjust social structures."

Dr. Arul further added, "Ethnic diversity should be appreciated. At times, in the name of unity, uniformity is promoted. The concept of unity in diversity should gain ground in both countries. The Nepalese population may be broadly classified into three major ethnic groups in terms of their origin: Indo-Nepalese, Tibetan-Nepalese, and indigenous Nepalese. More than 75 percent of the population is Indo-Nepalese. In India, the emergence of coalition governments at the center is a reflection of the aspirations of different linguistic and social groups. Thus, the central government in India now has a council of ministers from diverse caste, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. Polity should have heterogeneity because, after all, it has to cater to a heterogeneous population."

He also noted, "At times, Nepalese elites living outside the country are Kathmandu-centric, and they fail to notice any of the problems of rural Nepal. There is nothing wrong in having cooperation with India, as a big neighbor, in terms of military supplies and the sharing of defense intelligence information.

“In a developing country, the government has a large share in development. But the government should be committed and be devoid of corruption. Also, the tendency of Nepalese governance to centralize and the lack of focus on development are sustaining insurgency. Only development can bring forth an egalitarian society and help integrate the refugees into the mainstream. Nepal is a small country and the problems are not big if there is political will to solve them. Recent opinion polls in Nepal show that there is overwhelming public support for peace."

He concluded, "If people do not get enough information, their choices will not be informed ones. So the rights of journalists are important to fearlessly report events of a diverse nature. Media should continue its efforts toward a just resolution to the conflict. It should highlight efforts toward peace and downplay events that escalate conflict. One may call this advocacy journalism. But that is how journalism has to function in a conflict situation."