Nepal Britain Relationship: Conflict and Cooperation of 200 Years

Abstract

Nepal and Britain have postulate relationship that needs no clarification. The relationship of friendship, economic development and military assistance and cooperation have created the wide spread scope for the development and sustainability.Main objectives of this research are to identify the conflict and cooperation issues of relationship and tracing out the impact of these issues in Nepal.The researcher had identified various variables to measure the relationship parameter and justify the objectives.The researcher had gathered different literatures for the critical review, used analytical and exploratory research methods to draw the conclusion. The gathered literatures were sited using the guidelines of American Psychological Association (APA). Random interview with subject experts was the main source of primary data for the thesis. Every International Relationship has either economic or military aspect as a root of it. Diplomacy, Assistance, Treaties are the subsequent phenomenon. Nepal and Britain commenced the relationship with the military side (War Threat) since the emergence of East India Company in Asia. King of Malla Empire has first visited Great Britain which is regarded as a milestone of relationship. Anglo Nepal War is considered as a major foothill of the subsequent relationship. The Sugauli Treaty (1816), strategic losses of large chunk of land and Nepal Britain Mutual Treaty (1923) are the considerable progress parameters of the relationship of two countries which abandoned the warhead mentality and entered into military collaboration.Recruitment of Nepali young blood in British Companies was the collaborative approach of relationship. Nepal had contributed many young soldiers to British. The mutiny in Indian Army Company further flamed the urge of Nepali soldiers in British forces and bolstered the supply chain of military to British and Indian Army.Visit of the Prime minister yielded human development, change in the governance and infrastructural development in Nepal, on the other side; Britain was becoming victorious with Gurkha soldiers. We had reciprocal relationship then. Britain had been supportive in our political movements, disaster time and development programs in recent times. The sovereignty concept, Buffer state concept, Big power-Small power relation are being proved by this relationship. This ended up with conflict, collaboration and cooperation between Britain and Nepal.Regular support on development, Aid,reorganization of major political movements, support during democratic process and peace building, welcoming the new constitution, welfare schemes, common concern on climate change, and humanitarian assistance during disaster are the best examples of cooperative practices.The sovereignty issues of Gurkha recruitment, big power andsmall power relationship, negative trade rate, changing global politics, Brexit are the debatable issues of Nepal and Britain relationship. Thus, these issues need to bead dressed without hurting the notion of International Relationship and respecting the cordial and glorious relationship with Britain.Considering all these facts, we have huge opportunity in being in relationship with Britain but we have to maintain it using tool of diplomacy, brotherhood by cashing the two hundred years old postulate relationship.