The Maoist Insurgency and Nepal-India Relations 1 [email protected] Friends for Peace Baneshwor Marg, Purano 117/36, Puja Pratisthan GPO Box No
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The Maoist Insurgency and Nepal-India Relations Friends for Peace 117/36, Puja Pratisthan Marg, Purano Baneshwor GPO Box No. 11033 Kathmandu, Nepal Tel : +977-1-4480406 Fax : +977-1-4472798 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.friendsforpeace.org.np Price: Rs150/- Cover N-I Relation.pmd 1 6/16/2006, 2:20 PM Friends for Peace (FFP) ‘Friends for Peace (FFP)’ is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation regis- tered under the Association Registration Act 1977. It was established in May 2004 with a view to facilitate research in the field of conflict transformation and to contribute to future peace processes in Nepal. It works with local and interna- tional specialists on specific issues of concern in Nepal, convenes workshops for the sharing of experiences on peace processes from around the world and en- deavours to be a leading research organisation providing a central source of information for a range of actors on conflict-related issues. It also aims to build the capacity of Nepalese and other researchers to develop these strategies. In a post-conflict environment, it remains a public resource to be drawn upon for relevant information and expertise on post conflict transformation. The main objective of FFP is to establish a credible knowledge-base that provides technical expertise on issues of concern in future peace negotiations and wider peace process, and facilitates greater participation of civil society or- ganisations and individuals in bringing about a peaceful resolution to the Mao- ist insurgency. Based on a range of consultations, FFP is conducting research on various issues thought to be of concern in the current conflict context. Initial areas of research identified are comparative peace processes, security sector reform and international relations specific to the conflict. The on-going Maoist insurgency and its catastrophic implications for the country have already attracted the attention of the international community. Not only our immediate neighbours, but also other powerful world actors such as the USA, UK, EU and the United Nations have already raised their serious concerns about the internal conflict in Nepal. Thus, the horizon of Nepal’s International relation in consideration with its local politics has widened much and needs to be discussed in the global context. Hence, FFP is conducting series of research on various issues of Nepal’s international relation given the current conflict situation in Nepal. However, considering the historical relation and open border with India, the first series of research has been focussed in the Nepal India relation as a stepping stone of the issue. Five researches have been carried out under this theme, one of which dealing with the ‘geopolitical situa- tion of Nepal and international responses to conflict transformation’ has al- ready been published. Rest of the four, namely open border regulation issue in the context of conflict, proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nepal, India’s possible role in the future peace process in Nepal and water resource conflict between Nepal and India has been combined as four core chapters of this volume. In the future, FFP continues to build on these and other contem- porary issues of international relation of Nepal in the context of internal con- flict to widen the knowledgebase on conflict transformation in Nepal. The Maoist Insurgency and Nepal-India Relations Edited by Shiva K Dhungana Friends for Peace 117/36, Puja Pratisthan Marg Purano Baneshwor Kathmandu, Nepal March 2006 Published by Friends for Peace (FFP) P O Box 11033, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel : +977-1-4480406 Fax : +977-1-4472798 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.friendsforpeace.org.np © Friends for Peace 2006 No part of this book can be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means without prior consent of FFP. However, this restric- tion shall not apply for non-commercial use. First Edition: 500 copies The views and opinions expressed in this document are of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of FFP. Photo Credit Himalayan Corridor: Mishra, Hemanta Raj 2003. Sociopolitical dimensions of making multi-country corridors work: The Himalayan arch. Map of Nepal: http://www.parajulitrekking.com/nepal.html Map Showing Golden Triangle Region: http://aroundasia.com/ImperialGoldenTraingleResort.htm Map Showing Golden Crescent Region: http://pos277.umf.maine.edu/Afghanistan/afghanistan.html ISBN: 99946-945-8-8 Design and Layout The Printhouse Naya Baneshwor, Kathmandu Phone: +977-1-4476871 Email: [email protected] iii Foreword The growing intensity of the fighting between Maoist insurgents and the state security forces and its devastating effect on the security situation, human rights and socioeconomic life of the people have started to bring Nepal into sharper international focus. The global and regional powers have expressed serious concerns over the de- teriorating political, social, economic and security situation of the country. As the possibility of finding a domestic solution to the problem slips away, studies are being focused on the unique geo- graphic features which are thought to have lent advantage to the insurgents in their war with the security forces forging consensus on the need of international mediation. The escalation of violence and growing instances of human rights violation have tarnished the image of the country. It has not only lowered Nepal’s stature in the international community but has also added to the concern of international powers and immediate neighbours. The spill-over impact of the insurgency has alerted its neighbours and there is growing risk of unwanted foreign inter- vention if the insurgency is not resolved through peaceful negotia- tions. The geopolitical specialty of Nepal has lent comparative ad- vantage to the insurgents allowing them to conduct a prolonged armed insurgency. Given the two rounds of failed negotiations and growing bitterness and bloodbath going on between the insurgents and the government, it is unlikely that a domestic solution to the problem of insurgency will be found soon. The arguments for and against the involvement of international community are getting space in the Nepalese political debate in the past few years, specially after failure of the locally facilitated peace iv • Foreword talks between the Government and the CPN-Maoist. The interna- tional community, specially the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and some other European countries, have already come forward with their willingness to mediate or facilitate the future peace talks. Similarly, the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) are also willing to contribute towards the peaceful settlement of conflict in Nepal. However, India, which is historically involved in settlement and transformation of political disputes or conflict in Nepal is directly opposing the involvement of international com- munity in Nepalese peace talks, specially that of the UN. The special geopolitical situation of Nepal, the open border between Nepal and India and the compulsion of Nepal to use Indian territory for accessing the sea port has made Nepal highly dependent on India. Further, the one-sided Treaty of Peace and Friendship 1950 between Nepal and India has made Nepal handi- capped to deal with its security related and political issues inde- pendently. Under these circumstances, Nepal can not ignore the role of India in the peaceful transformation of conflict in Nepal. India’s positive willingness to contribute in the conflict transforma- tion in Nepal can determine the pace of progress towards it. How Indian unwillingness to solve the problem has complicated the proc- ess of solving the Bhutanese refugee crisis is a glaring example that Nepal can learn for giving due consideration to India’s positive con- tribution and assistance for solving the Maoist insurgency in Nepal. Considering this fact, Friends for Peace (FFP) has decided to re- assess Nepal’s relation with India in relation to its perspective, atti- tude and dealing with the rebels, the impact of Nepal’s left-wing insurgency in India’s internal security and its possible contribution to resolve the Maoist conflict in Nepal as a stepping stone and entry point for generating broader debate on Nepal’s international rela- tion as a whole in the context of the on-going Maoist conflict in Nepal. As we progress further, FFP intends to deal with Nepal’s Nepal India Relations • v relation with other stakeholders of global politics and their contri- bution in the conflict transformation in Nepal. Through this publication we hope to generate wider debate among the stakeholders of conflict in Nepal and world community on Nepal’s relation with India, mutual cooperation in certain issues of contention and India’s policy and contribution towards conflict transformation in Nepal. Even though the discussions in this vol- ume cover the incidents prior to the Royal takeover of 1 February 2005 only, we still believe that such debate will help provide the necessary feedback for preparing for future peace talks and receiv- ing productive support from our neighbour in the south. Laxman P Aryal Chairperson vi List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ABNES Akhil Bharatiya Nepali Ekata Samaj (All India Nepalese Unity Society) ADB Asian Development Bank AIMCC All India Maoist Communist Centre AMG Assault Machine Gun ATTF All Tripura Tiger Force BCP-MLM Bhutanese Communist Party-Marxist Leninist Maoist BJP Bharatiya Janata Party BMC Boarder Management Committee