Topic:India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
6) With Nepal joining China’s OBOR initiative and an increasing engagement of between the two countries it is time for a revisit in our foreign policy vis a vis Nepal. Comment. (250 Words)
Why this question
Relations between India and Nepal soured after the latter promulgated its new constitution. Madhesi protests and the road blockade led to a diplomatic scuffle between the two countries. Since then china has increased its political and economic engagement with Nepal and recently Nepal has agreed to join the OBOR initiative. Thus it is an important topic as far as UPSC mains exam is concerned. It’s part of GS-2; India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreement involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Key Demand of the question
The question demands an analysis of our foreign policy vis a vis Nepal, in the light of growing influence of China in the country. The question also demands us to provide the necessary revisions required in our foreign policy to to amend our relations with Nepal and further strengthen them.
Directive word
Comment- we have to form a personal opinion on the basis of a discussion of India’s foreign policy towards Nepal. It also wants us to suggest the required changes in our foreign policy which could help in further strengthening our relations with Nepal.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – in the introduction mention the close linguistic, marital, religious, and, cultural ties between India and Nepal and also the scope of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of development as well as diplomacy.
Body – the body of the answer should be divided into two parts. In one part, briefly discuss going proximity between China and Nepal and souring of relations between India and Nepal over madhesi protests.
In another part, discuss the need to revisit India’s foreign policy vis a vis Nepal and and give suggestions of amending the same in a way that it serves India’s diplomatic needs and also does not hurt Nepal’s sovereign interests and rights.
Conclusion- you can mention the rise of Asia and need of a stable, friendly neighbourhood in order to ensure development of the whole region.
