Nepal Crisis–Current Affairs 31/10/15–01/11/2015

Nepal Crisis

Nepal finally has a Constitution after seven years of turmoil.
When it seemed like all is going to be well, loomed a new crisis in the form of agitation by the Madhesis, the Janajatis and the Tharus.
The Madhesis, the Janajatis and the Tharus of the Terai region were traditionally backward and felt that the new constitution didn’t represent their interests.
The agitations across terai region turned violent which threatened to cause a spill over effect into India (Bihar election were in progress and the Madhesis are of Indian origion).
India, in an attempt to solve the crisis, imposed an unofficial trade blockade which cutoff the supply of fuel and other essentials to Nepal.
So, India overacted and flexed its arm too far into Nepal’s internal affairs in this process.
This strategy of India backfired completely and created an upsurge of Nepali nationalism, coupled with anti-Indianism.
China took full advantage of India’s mistake to get closer to Nepal by offering to supply much needed fuel.
Prior to the crisis, there were agitations by conservative Hindu groups in Nepal which were demanding to make Nepal a Hindu State instead of a secular state.
Here too, Nepalese believe that the Indian Government led by the Nationalist BJP, which is enslaved by a fundamentalist RSS, had a role.
All this amounts to self goal by India.

Important Events:

Citizenship has long been an emotive issue among the Madhesis as they often marry Indians from the northern districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Spouses of Nepali citizens become ‘naturalised Nepali citizens’.
However, there is a discriminatory provision regarding the offspring of such marriages.
Children of a Nepali male marrying a foreigner are ‘Nepalis by descent’ (citizens by birth = natural citizenship) whereas if a Nepali woman marries a foreigner, their children are ‘naturalised Nepalis’ (citizens not by birth = artificial citizenship) which bars them from important and powerful constitutional positions.
This is also an issue that has been taken up by women’s groups on the grounds that it violates the basic principle of equality guaranteed by the Constitution.

Madhesi demands will start snowballing if the government doesn’t make quick decisions.
Madhesis have a strong maoist background but now they have shunned their arms. If their demands are ignored, it might invigorate maoist ideology in them.
The Janajatis still form a major chunk of the Maoist cadres. So there is definitely a serious threat of maoist revival.
A maoist revival will hurt both Nepal and India.
Above all, Nepal will get closer to marauding (go about in search of things to steal or people to attack) and mercantilist China.
History teaches us that once the Chinese get a foothold somewhere, they never leave.

As India confronts a marauding (go about in search of things to steal or people to attack) and mercantilist China — with its disdain (the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect) for international law — the US is an invaluable strategic partner.
India cannot handle China without American support.
Now is the time to choose sides in the impending Mahabharata between the US and China, and in siding with Washington, India has chosen the Pandavas. Think of Xi Jinping as Duryodhana (US is bad but China is worse. So better side with USA).

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