India needs to engage with the left Alliance sensibly, in both nations' interests
After the customary congratulations are conveyed to the left Alliance comprising the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified-Marxist-leninist) or UMl and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) or the Maoists, which is set to come to power with a simple majority once the results of the Parliamentary polls in Nepal are formally notified, New Delhi needs to get going. Not to interfere in any manner, way or form in the affairs of a sovereign, friendly neighbouring country, naturally, but to ensure that both the abiding bond between the peoples of the two countries and the state-to-state Indo-Nepalese relationship continue to deepen regardless of governments coming and going on either side.
That's easier said than done, of course, but there is far too much at stake for New Delhi to stand by if the clearly pro-China UMl, led by former and most likely next Prime Minister KP Oli, starts playing Beijing's game in an Indian sphere of influence once again, albeit citing national interest as a cover for ideological affinity though the Maoists, led by former premier Prachanda, have been far more genuine in their stated desire to ensure that Nepal maintains an independent foreign policy that doesn't lean precipitately towards either of its two powerful neighbours. Crucially, this election bears an imprint of legitimacy that makes it imperative for India to proactively engage with the left Alliance.
The contours of what the terms of engagement can be are clear: First, a line has to be drawn under the perceived Indian support for a Madhesi parties-led economic blockade which turned Nepalese public opinion against India and provided the UMl with an opportunity to bat for access to Chinese ports, construction of rail links between Nepal and China and the latter supplying petroleum products to Nepal, all in the garb of decreasing the dependency of a landlocked nation on its southern neighbour for trade and commerce. Secondly, whatever New Delhi's views on the merits or demerits of the new Constitution especially in regard to political representations to the Madhesis, Janjatis and Tharus, there are other less public ways of raising them rather than appearing to support mass protests. Thirdly, Kathmandu must be told bluntly there can be no compromise on India's concerns, as a lower riparian country, on hydel power exploitation in Nepal which is also a key component of Beijing's strategy to ostensibly aid Nepal. Fourthly, India's soft power outreach must be enhanced and examples such as India as first responder to the April 2015 earthquake must be kept alive in public memory. lastly, instead of wasting time trying to give a fillip to the people-to-people contacts strategy with a failed state and antagonistic people in Pakistan, India would be far better served deploying such efforts vis-à-vis its Himalayan neighbour where a common Indic cultural heritage, an open border and Nepalese nationals living and working in India besides being able to serve in the Indian Army are all far more indicative of a special relationship which is worth preserving. For both countries.