Contrary to the perception that New Delhi and Kathmandu’s relations are at a low ebb, Nepal’s outgoing Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay said the relations between the two countries are at an all-time high at present. “It was a one-sided relationship so far. First time since 2014, it became a two-way traffic and Indian leadership showed much deeper interest in Nepal,” he said.
Upadhyay said the current crisis is only a temporary phase that arose due to Nepal’s internal political instability, and the KP Sharma Oli Government has tried to drag India into the predicament. The envoy, who has been recalled by the Nepal Government, will leave for Kathmandu on Sunday.
“Democracy in Nepal is still at a nascent stage. Nepal has a hung Parliament and there will be political instability for some time. But it is wrong to blame a third country for one’s own internal crisis. Just the way you cannot involve Nepal for the political crisis in Uttarakhand and accuse leaders there for destablising the State Government, we too cannot involve India for our own political problems.
It is unfair for our politicians to make remarks against India. I kept advising PM KP Sharma Oli and others against this. A stable government in Nepal will help strengthen relations more,” Upadhyay told The Pioneer in a farewell interview.
“We have an unparallel relationship with India. No other country in the world can share the geographical and cultural relationship that we two countries have. India was first to stand with us in our hour of grief,” he said.
Nepal did not have an envoy in New Delhi for four years (2011-15) till Upadhyay filled up the vacancy last April. However, within 10 days of his taking over, the Himalayan nation was rocked by a devastating earthquake and pushing for relief became his first major challenge.
The envoy believes two visits by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, five by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, four by Foreign Secretaries in the last two years to Nepal is a record of sorts when no Indian PM visited Nepal for the last 17 years. The last high-level visit was by the then Finance Minister Salman Khursheed in 2013. New Delhi was KP Sharma Oli’s first destination outside Nepal after he took over as the PM and there have been two visits of Kamal Thapa, Deputy PM, and several other dignitaries to India.
In fact, even during the height of tension between two countries last year due to the Madhesi agitation, for which Nepal accused India, New Delhi gave three new goods transit points to Nepal for trade.
looking back at his one-year stint in New Delhi, Upadhyay said, “There were some misunderstandings and at some places both sides could have done better. Nepal plunged into deep crisis during the blockade. We felt that goods and cargo could be rerouted through 15 other checkpoints which were peaceful. But India took a lot of time to reroute cargo due its procedures. Statements from Kathmandu about getting supplies from China antagonised India.”
Talking about India’s involvement in Nepal’s development and flow of funds, Upadhyay said India is the main artery for Nepal. From food to petroleum, clothes to all basic needs, Nepal depends on India. Besides, India is involved in several projects like the Terai road, power plants, railways, etc. “During my meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitey, he told me that money will never be an issue for Nepal. ‘You will get whatever amount you want from us just keep utilising the funds and finish your projects fast’,” Upadhyay said. But at the same time, he added Nepal has to utilise funds that are given. India pledged $1,400 million followed by Chinese $766.93 million for the reconstruction.
India is also willing to assist in Ready-to-Go projects like building of new airport in Nijgadh (Bara district) and roads from border to Kathmandu. “For the second airport, we need approval from India also as our flights will be entering Indian air space during takeoffs and landings. At every step for our development we have take India along, can’t walk alone,” he said.
“I tried to do my best as an envoy and will go back and work more for the people and work for the betterment of India-Nepal relations. Politicians will keep changing but people of two countries are connected to heart with each other. Roti beti ka rishta hai,” the ambassador said.