Recent developments in south-asia seems to have taken a twist in politics.

- China is calm and seems somewhat happy that it can now develop better political and economic relationship with Nepal. This would give them a safety net on the Tibetan issue.

- India is scrambling to find an appropriate action to take. They have even pondered upon taking millitary action against Nepal, which seems to have been opposed by the Indian PM. At the same time, they want to keep Nepal on their side and not leaning towards China.

- Pakistan, sees as an opportunity to foster political alliance with Nepal to pressure India in future and play a more effective role in south-asia.

- Bangladesh is upset with India. She wanted to show a better face to the world by holding the SAARC summit even if it meant allowing the Nepalese King to participate.

- Bhutan seems to be the only country currently in good relation with India and they both have their own reasons for that.

- Sri-lanka and Maldives are still dealing with the losses from Tsunami and seem to care less about new political situation in south-asia.

Going back to the topic, are we really getting closer to CHINA and could this be good for the country in the long term. If china is the next super-power then will we be like Mexico is to the US? Hope we would not want to cross the border though!

before you say anything,
and eventhough im a pure nepali and i have no tibetan relations,

FREE TIBET!!!!!

well i dont think anythng is for certain in long term...the only long tern certainty is that nepal will always be sandwiched between the two competitors ...india and china. the current leaning of china towards nepal is merely because of the shut down of the dalai lamas camp, its all give and take. well china might have a lil more selfishnes due to our open boarder with india, and if china was to have nepal on their side, it would be easy for them to have access to india...either due to nepal geographic closeness to india...which has some army bases to over see chinesese activities.

but the one good think i hope is....even if the india shut downs the boarder to nepal, disrupting daily essentials, i hope the current govt, under the kings leadership can work something out with china, and export the goods from china to keep providing the citizens....our king must sure have thought of this, and if he has..then i am sure india ,after seeing the chinese reactions saying "internal affair of nepal", must surely be albe to forecast this,

so may be india after all might not also shut down the boarder..coz it for sure doesnt want nepal leaning south.

Free

King meets envoy as Delhi heat gets to Kathmandu Blockade cuts off Indian military supplies, Nepal army waits
SHISHIR GUPTA
Posted online: Monday, February 07, 2005 at 0000 hours IST,
www.Indianexpress.com

KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 6: King Gyanendra?s promised action against Maoist insurgents, seeking to overthrow his rule, could take a hit because military supplies from India are unable to reach the Valley.

For the sixth consecutive day, the all-important Tribhuvan highway remained blocked because of a transport strike called by Left wing extremists.

That Kathmandu is feeling the heat, especially after New Delhi?s firm stand against the royal coup, is also evident: King Gyanendra today met envoys of key nations, including India and US, and explained the reasons for seizing direct control of Nepal.

Sources confirmed that New Delhi, while it is committed to supply military equipment already in the pipeline, will review new military aid proposals.

The first casualty will be the critical hand-held thermal imagers deal. Almost through, the deal was expected to boost manifold the capability of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA). Indian military aid to Nepal totals Rs 374 crore, apart from training the RNA in counter-insurgency.

But even military aid in the pipeline has been stopped in view of the Maoist blockade of the Tribhuvan highway. Those who have taken the highway to the Valley say that Maoists have been holding public meetings by the roadside.

Traffic from Birgunj and Nepalgunj has been stopped due to blockades at Dhading, 40 km short of the Valley. The Arniko highway also remains blocked beyond Dhulikhel on the Lhasa road.

It?s learnt that Kathmandu was on the verge of signing the thermal imagers? these heat seeking gadgets can detect human movement from a kilometre away? that entailed supply of 125 such high-tech equipment. Although the King?s government wanted 500 such imagers, New Delhi now wants to review the new proposals. In short, the deal is on hold.

At the same time, a debate rages between Kathmandu-based Indian diplomats and South Block on what should be New Delhi?s posture. The Indian Army has a slightly different line: it wants the government to continue military aid to Kathmandu lest China or Pakistan step in.

Indian diplomats in Kathmandu are miffed with the behaviour of the RNA. On January 31, Indian Ambassador S S Mukherjee and the Defence attache met RNA chief Pyar Jung Thapa but the latter did not say a word on the King?s next move. Indian intelligence also botched it, filing a general report rather than giving real time information on the King?s plans on February 1.

Although the King?s key advisors like Sarat Chand Shah have privately urged New Delhi not to precipitate matters, New Delhi wants the King to feel the heat.
Shah asked for Delhi?s support, citing the example of Pakistan where General Musharraf also downed tele-communication networks for more than a week after assuming power.

We need support from others but it is concerned with only international politics. Each and every country has its own interest in keeping relation with others. I think, Nepal should be more concerned and confined within its local and national level politics to overcome the shortcomings. Then, it comes other nation. I know, India is not happy at this time. But, we have nothing to do with them in our internal things. I am surprised by the decision of Indian Prime Minister regarding the participation of Saarc Meeting due to Nepal's political changes. He cancelled the program because of Nepal's political concern. Did he think Nepal as India's own state and the problem is his own. I applealed everybody not to believe these kind of international affairs. We should believe on fair international relation.

If by denouncing King G's action, New Delhi is looking after its investment and influnece, . By not shutting down Maoists bases in India and by not doing enough to grab its leaders hiding in India, Nepal has enough reasons to believe that Delhi is playing a double game with the Nepalese. It is upto us with whatever help we can get , be it from the Chinese to solve this problem. The "democratic" netas tried to solve the problem their way, now let King G try his way. We as his "praja" must take his procomolation to its task and make sure he means every word of it.

I hate it when the Indian newspaper behave like big brothers to our soverign nation when analysing our problems. Leave it to us, don't meddle , you'll make things worse.