People to people connection: Merits and demerits of open border relation between Nepal and India

Abstract

The relationship between Nepal and India is unique and has got long history from the time when British were ruling India. It has 1800 square kilometers open border system was formally regulated after Nepal and India signed Peace and Friendship Treaty in 1950. People of both the nations got legal permission to carry out their business and trading activities smoothly as mentioned in the Article VII of Peace and Friendship Treaty which has helped Nepal and India to maintain their traditional socio-cultural and economic relation. People to people connection has played vital role in maintaining harmonious relation between Nepal and India. It has significant impact on the border relations between both the nation because of bread and daughter relation, employment opportunities, facilitated medical treatment, quality education and trainings and so on. Despite of many prospects of open border, it has also created threats for national security, illegal activities and terrorism have increased. The misuse of open border has been done and to control that both nations have deployed border security forces on each sides but despite of that no minimization of criminal activities has been seen. Local people also face many hurdles to carry out their daily chores through which they used to earn their livelihood. These kinds of problem has weakened the harmonious relationship between the nation, time and again. Therefore, to maintain the friendly relation, the issues of open border system should be tackled diplomatically on the government level and for this government should employ special team which will work and do research on the grassroot level and come up with the solution which will create win-win situation for both Nepal and India. Keywords: People to people connection, open border, closed or restricted border, Nepal and India open border relation, border policies and mechanism.