Vijay Kant Karna is a former Nepali Ambassador to Denmark. Karna is a former associate professor at Tribhuvan University (TU), and is currently executive chairman of the Center for Social Inclusion and Federalism. The research organization has been looking into and discussing geopolitical, security, and international affairs issues.
Nepalkhabar talked to former ambassador Karna on the latest challenges and opportunities in Nepal's foreign relations. Excerpts:
What are the challenges of conducting foreign policy for Prachanda-led government?
This government faces numerous foreign policy challenges. The first challenge is the volatility of international politics. The competition between China and the United States, China and Europe, and India and China is heating up. India has strong ties with both the United States and Europe. India and Russia have their own special relationship. Such geopolitical shifts have an impact on Nepal.
At the same time, China, the world's second largest power, is advancing new strategies. Since the Taiwan issue, It has sought Nepal's support in the Global Security Initiative (GSI). In the past, we have supported China when the Hong Kong issue surfaced. Do we support the current GSI? As far as I understand, GSI has been launched by China with the aim of replacing the existing international security order and introducing a new security order under its own leadership. One of the challenges of the Prachanda government is to determine the position in this strategy of China. Similarly, under BRI, should we take the high interest loan or not? Do we need a cross-border train? Is it going to be made or is just a rumour? Prachanda's first challenge is there.
What is the concept of GSI promoted by China?
The US has only included the Indo-Pacific region in its Indo-Pacific strategy. But China's contributions go beyond any one area. Since it does not benefit China, the American-led global security system has proposed a new kind of security concept. The US is proposing a new concept in reaction to China's new concept, despite the fact that China has already begun to do so. That's what GSI is all about. The West becomes more engaged as China opens up. It influences us.
Ten years ago, China started the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to foster cooperative economic growth. However, it has now introduced a different notion of security as well as progress. It is trying to connect us to it. China must understand that we take its legitimate security interests into account. But we don't go to GSI. We must urge them to leave us out of any geopolitical conflicts. Unfortunately, as always, our leadership continues to be undecided on such important geopolitical problems.
Are there new geopolitical difficulties for Nepal?
They have had difficulties in the past. Lets discuss the Cold War now. Although there were difficulties even then, the cold war did not immediately affect us as Russia's borders do not connect ours. India, on the other hand, pursued a non-aligned, pro-Russian foreign policy. However now that China is our neighbor, things are different. Its on our doorstep, in fact. As a result, this is where American and Chinese rivalry has an impact.
How will Prime Minister Prachanda advance relations with America?
Relations with the US should be handled well. What would be our opinion on the Indo-Pacific strategy that ithas advanced? We also saw during the endorsement of the MCC agreement that China consistently opposed the MCC. The MCC has been passed and is now being implemented. However, Chinese leaders who come on a visit here always express concern regarding MCC.
How will our leadership face the geopolitical challenge?
America and China have their own interests. But Nepal should balance its relationship with both. We should look at the relationship with the US and China separately. Let us also tell America that our relationship with China is different, don't do anything to embarrass us. Let us explain to the US that we have our own interests in having relations with China. Similarly, let's say clearly with China that we want to have a free relationship with America. Regarding matters related to Nepal, we should tell both China and America that please do not embarrass us by clashing. These are the geopolitical challenges for the current Prachanda-led government.
How will our leadership face the geopolitical challenge?
America and China have their own set of priorities. However, Nepal should strike a balance in its relations with both. We should assess the relationship with the United States and China separately. Let us also tell America that we share unique relationship with China, and we do not want be put on spot. Let us explain to the US that having relations with China serves our own interests. Similarly, let us state unequivocally to China that we want a free relationship with the US. In Nepal-related matters, we should tell both China and America not to place us in the middle. These are the geopolitical challenges for the incumbent Prachanda-led goverment.
You talked about balancing relations with the US and China. Now let's talk about relations with India. What kind of relationship will the incumbent government have with India?
There is both comfort and discomfort in our relationship with India. We do not have as intensive an interaction with other countries as we do with India. One of the main issues is the border dispute. The border talks stalledafter Nepal released the border map. I feel Nepal should again take the initiative for border talks with India. We should present ourself with appropriate documents.
Another thing is the issue of getting air routes from India. We have built the Bhairahawa airport, but as India does not provide air routes, it is not easy to operate that airport. I wish we had talked to India before the airport was built. But we didn't. India's security interests, if anything, must be addressed.
Thirdly, the trade deficit with India has increased significantly. What must be done to reduce it? Let's work together with India on hydropower trade, it will help to reduce the trade deficit. We have not mobilized the grant and loan assistance announced by India’s PM Modiji during his visit to Nepal. As when Modiji came to Janakpur, the support he announced for the development of the place was not implemented. Now PM Dahalshould take the initiative in that.
India has a policy of not buying electricity from Chinese investment projects. Will it not shrink Nepal's electricity trade?
We have to negotiate with India and explain it to him. Chinese or American, whoever invests in the electricity project here, after all, it is Nepal's electricity. We can solve this issue by negotiating with both the Indian government and the private sector. Due to the geopolitical competition between India and China, Nepal's electricity trade should not be hindered. Nepal should be able to explain this to India well.
What kind of decision will Nepal take regarding India adopting to recruit Gurkha soldiers under its Agneepath scheme?
In this too, Nepal should have an effective dialogue with India. Millions of our people are in the Indian Army, even now. There is unemployment here. Therefore, Nepal has to participate in Agneepath. Agneepath scheme was not brought by India with Nepali in mind. So he will not stop that plan just for us. If we do not take a decision for some time, Nepalis will lose the opportunity to join the Indian Army. Instead, Nepal should talk to India about the future of the youth joining the Indian army under Agneepath. What will the employment of Gurkha soldiers be after four years of service under Agneepath? Let's discuss it instead. One possibility is to transfer those Gurkha soldiers to Indian private security firms so they can find employment and avoid remaining jobless.
Being a former professor of political science, how do you envision future of the present power coalition? Some people opine that the government will not last for long.
Now see, this is not an alliance formed on the basis of any idea, principle or policy. It is purely based on personal and party interests. The ultimate goal of some of our leaders is to become the Prime Minister anyway. That's what happened now. How long the incuumbent government will last mainly depends on the relationship between Prachanda and Oliji. I don't think the relationship between Oli and Prachanda has improved completely. Right now, they are only meeting for the sake of power.
