Nepal-India relations: Political changes and India's influences in Nepal

Abstract

This dissertation has taken a closer look at India's influences on Nepal's political changes especially after the restoration of democracy (1990-2020). This research has been conducted using India's influence framework in Nepal's political changes. Its foundation has been the use of analytical and descriptive methods of interpretation to reach defined objectives. Additionally, the research is grounded in the geopolitical, realistic, sphere of influence, constructivist, and dependent (GRSoICD) theories of international relations. Purposive sampling of twenty people has used in this study. Key informant interviews (KII) were conducted with nine politicians, four civil society members, three diplomats, and four academics. It appeared that India's leaders made an undisguised influence in the anti-Panchayat movement of 1990 which can be interpreted under the spheres of influence theory of International Relation (IR). India's deal on the 12-point agreement in preparation for Mass Movement II was guided by India's psychology (IR realism and geopolitical theory), fearing a possible Chinese trend by the rulers of Nepal. Nepal's peace process, directly influenced by India's overt security outlook, has clearly increased China's footprint in Nepal. India looked for maintaining its influence in Nepal after the triumph of Mass Movement II (2006) through the Madhesh issues and frequent changes in government. India mainly intends to keep Nepal under its influence to minimize China's presence in Nepal. While some Nepalis perceive India's influence in Nepal positively, another section of Nepali sees it as India's undue influences in Nepal's internal affairs. Political leaders in Nepal should improve their ability to deal diplomatically with political changes by avoiding intra- and inter-party conflicts on matters of national interest. They ought to act on their own as true nationalist leaders. The study justifies Nepali leaders and top bureaucrats taking it seriously that they should engage in rigorous policy discussions with those affected before embarking on any new course or making any new decisions in political change or other sectors in order to build a national consensus that helps to demonstrate unity in important national issues. By doing this, Indian influence and her meddling in domestic issues can be minimized. The policy of "balanced ties with neighboring countries" should, vi

nonetheless, take precedence in Nepal. By fostering open relations and strengthening Nepal's ability to manage and deal political movements in accordance with its own national interests, India's influence can be minimized. Nepal should also maintain protocol when dealing with Indian authorities and pursue an equal distance foreign policy in order to lessen India's influence. The key findings will assist Nepali political leaders and policymakers in developing and strengthening Nepal-India relations in upcoming days.