China visit by KP Sharma Oli won't address Madhesi concerns; India makes its stand clear

NEW DELHI: The announcement by Nepal’s deputy PM Kamal Thapa that KP Sharma Oli may visit China on his first foreign trip as the prime minister next month may have caused some flutter, but New Delhi is of the opinion that no visit abroad will be productive unless his government amends the Constitution during the ongoing Parliament session to address the grievances of the agitating Madhesis.

Oli, sources said, is keen on undertaking a trip to India, but such a visit would lack value and substance unless his government takes necessary steps to make the newly enacted Constitution inclusive. The Nepal PM has been planning to visit India since he came to office in October.

A visit to China might allow the Nepalese PM to play the Beijing card against New Delhi, but would do little to address the grievances of the Madhesis, sources opined.

Nepal’s three major political parties on Monday decided to reach a consensus on a bill to amend the new Constitution to resolve the current political crisis amid the ongoing protests by Madhesis demanding greater representation and review of provincial boundary demarcation.

Madhesis have resorted to aggressive protests after Rajendra Mahato, a prominent leader of the Morcha and chairman of Sadbhawana Party, sustained injuries in a clash between police and Morcha cadres in Biratnagar border on Saturday.

ET VIEW

Repair relations, guard against being guard

A considered, watchful response is what is called for. While India cannot dictate which country the leader of a sovereign state visits first, it can take steps to repair its frayed relationship with Nepal. At the same time, New Delhi’s interest in limiting Beijing’s influence in Kathmandu is well known. Therefore, India must guard against falling prey to a situation where Nepal plays off China and India to further its interests.