Nepal-A new start?

Since my last post, a lot of things have happened in our neighborhood,inside our country and also internationally. The situation in Nepal deserver our special attention,not only because of our strategic interests there but also because India shares an open border.

The whole mess started when King Gyanendra dismissed the democratically elected government of Sher Bahadur Deuba on Feb 1 2005 and assumed full executive powers in the name of combating the Maoist insurgency which had claimed over 12000 lives.All fundamental rights were suspended,leaders kept under house arrest and press muffled.Internatonal condemnation was unanimous and countries like U.S and U.K along with India were putting pressure on the king to restore democracy.The Maoists and the political parties also sunk their differences and decided to launch a unified movement to unseat constitutional monarchy and bring a republican system of government.

While the entire Nepali society was up in arms,the international community tightened the screws.India stopped arms deliveries to tne RNA while a threat to cut off aid was also used.For a while Nepal tried to cosy up to Pakistan and China but finally seeing the writing on the wall the king gave up executive powers and gave the call to reassemble the parliament.

Even though this was one of the demands of the seven party alliance leading the protests the problems related to the maoist's are still not solved.Many Nepalese now want the abolition of monarchy.Powerful sections in the Indian establishment and the Indian army want the king to remain.Also by playing on Hindu sentiments the King has a lot of sympthasisers in the RSS including the BJP. So Manmohan Singh has to tread carefully on this issue especially since a section of disgruntled Congressmen like Former foreign minister Natwar Singh has been taking potshots openly at him.In the few months ahead ,Nepal is at crossroads.