16 India-Nepal Relations

Dr. Suresh Dhanda

Structure of the Module

1. Introduction

2. Objectives

3.Various Stages of Relations 3.1. Friendly Beginning

3.2. Period of Change

3.3. Beginning of New Approach

3.4. Normal Relations but with Differences

3.5. Ups and Downs but Cordial Relations

4. Conclusion

5. Important Questions

6. Suggested Readings

1. Introduction

India and Nepal share a unique relationship of friendship and cooperation characterized by open borders and deep-rooted people–to–people contacts of kinship and culture. Historical, religious, cultural and geographical similarities exist between the both. The open boundary of 1700 kilometres between the two is a symbol of mutual strategic importance. Whereas the geographical position of Nepal makes it an important country for India on the one hand, the land-locked situation of Nepal on the other makes it dependent on India up to a great extent. In 1950, New Delhi and Kathmandu initiated their intertwined relationship with the Treaty of Peace and Friendship and accompanying letters that defined security relations between the two countries, and an agreement governing both bilateral trade and trade transiting Indian soil. Being situated between India and China, it plays a role of buffer state also. Hence, both have an important place to each other.

2. Objectives

This module will help the students to know the bilateral relations of India and Nepal. Broadly, these two nations have been in good relations with each other but sometimes relations turned sour due to some acts committed either by Nepal or by India. Through this module, efforts have been made to acquaint the readers about all the ups and downs in their relations. Various stages of their relations have been discussed in the detail under various headings. Important questions and suggested readings have also been included in the last part of the module from exam point of view and for further reading.

3. Various Stages of Relations

The proper analysis of India-Nepal relations can be done on the basis of changes took place during various stages of their relations. These stages are as follows: – (1) Friendly Beginning, 1947-1955. (2) Period of Change, 1956-1962. (3) Beginning of New Approach, 1963-1971. (4) Normal Relations but with Differences, 1972-1979. (5) Ups and Downs but Cordial Relations, 1980 Onwards.

3.1. Friendly Beginning

The beginning of India-Nepal relations was cordial and friendly. Many reasons have been responsible for that kind of relations which are as follows:-

Until the Treaty of Friendship comes into existence India signed the agreement of ‘Status Quo’ with Nepal in 1947. It was decided through this agreement that both will follow the treaty concluded in 1923 between British and Nepalese government until or unless new agreement is signed.

Both countries signed an agreement regarding the recruitment of Ghurkhas in Indian military. It was consented under this ‘Trilateral Agreement’ (India, Nepal and England) on 9th November 1947 that India will establish 12 Ghurkhas battalions according to the traditions of 15th May 1815 continued from the British period. The number of these battalions increased to 23 in 1948 and 39 after 1962. According to an estimate, 37000 to 45000 Ghurkhas are there in Indian military at present.

On the demand of Nepalese Prime Minister, India sent a senior Indian politician, Shri Prakash, to Nepal in 1947 to prepare a constitution for Nepal. (Though this constitution couldn’t be executed as it was against the absolute Monarchy) Treaty of ‘Peace and Friendship’ was signed between India and Nepal in July 1950.

After the treaty of ‘Peace and Friendship’, India established its ‘Military Posts’ on the northern boundary of Nepal to overcome its security threats coming through the passes of Tibet and Bhutan.

In 1950, India also played an important role in ceasing the regime of Rana in Nepal. After the treaty of 1950, differences of Rana government with India started. Simultaneously, the civil war between Rana and King Tribhuvan also started. India safely took out the members of royal family and re-established the rule of Maharaja by terminating the rule of Rana. In this way, India started the democratic system in Nepal.

India recognised Nepal as a part of its security system in this period. Nehru gave this kind of statement in the parliament on 15th March 1950 while expressing this kind of worry about security.

India also made efforts for membership of Nepal in the UN from time to time.

Nepal was included in this international organisation as an independent nation in 1955.

Above reasons clear the three things. First of all, India used to consider Nepal as a part of its security circle. Hence, the worry of India and anxiety about internal democracy can be understood. Second, this was the period of mutual cooperation and friendship between India and Nepal. Hence, India constructed a dam on Kosi River with the cost of Rs 37 crores which provided Nepal the facilities of free electricity and irrigation. India also sent some technical experts to Nepal to provide military training. King of Nepal also paid a courtesy visit to India in November 1955. Third, Nepal became the member of UN only through the efforts of India. In the same period, along with friendship, the confusion was propagated in the public that India is interfering in the internal affairs of Nepal. Due to the same reasons, the black badges were shown by some people as resentment when a courtesy delegation of India reached Nepal. But in conclusion, we can say that up to 1955 the relations of both the countries were sound and the policies of India in this regard have been converted from ‘carelessness to taking interest’. Now India was adopting the policies of exerting the maximum influence so that there may not be any danger to the India’s security.

3.2. Period of Change

The second stage of India-Nepal relations has been from 1956 to 1962 in which the changed nature of their relations was noticed. The most important change in this period was the attraction of Nepal towards China. India tried to reduce it through its various economic and cultural policies but couldn’t succeed much in this direction. The contemporary position of both the countries was responsible for this change. India was responsible in this context because some policies of its first stage were of dominating nature in context of Nepal. Simultaneously, Indo-China Trade Treaty of 1954, through which the dominance of China on Tibet was accepted, put the Nepal in a confused situation. On the other side, the slight change was observed in the position of Nepal after getting the membership of UN in 1955. As a result, the attraction of Nepal towards China was clearly observed. At this time, the closeness to China means the distance from India.

The reasons of Nepal’s deep relations with China are clear from the following incidents: – (1) The Prime Minister of Nepal visited China in 1956. (2) A friendship treaty was signed between China and Nepal on 20th September 1956. (3) Prime Minister of China Chou-en-Lai visited Nepal in 1957. (4) China and Nepal signed a boundary agreement on 5th October 1961. Nepal did not take any advice from India in this regard while Burma took the advice of India in the similar treaty. (5) On the bases of Nepal-China agreement of 16th October 1961, China provided economic support to Nepal for construction of a road from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Keeping in view its security, it was obvious for India to have suspicion from increasing relations of China and Nepal through this kind of Agreement.

Along with the increasing friendship of China and Nepal, India got a setback when King Mahendra dismissed the elected government of V.P Koirala on 15th December 1960. It caused an end to the democratic system established in Nepal through the efforts of India. Though Nehru visited Nepal during this period in June 1959, and in response, Prime Minister of Nepal V.P. Koirala also visited India in November 1959. King Mahendra also visited India in April 1962 but no change was visualized between the relations. India was also unable to take strong step at this time when Nepal was using the ‘China Card’. The most troublesome situation for India was when it was published in a booklet in Nepal before King Mahendra’s visit to China in December 1961 that China is the most liberal and provides selfless support. Not even so, Nepal adopted the complete neutral policy during Indo-China war and not criticised the act of China in any way. Hence in this era where Nepal has adopted the approach of closeness towards China on one side, India tried for better relations in future by adopting the ‘take it easy approach’ towards Nepal on the other side.

3.3. Beginning of New Approach

The period from 1963 to 1971 can be called the third round of India-Nepal relations. India became more worried in context of Nepal due to war with China in1962 and after that the attitude of Nepal about war. Hence, India started a ‘New Approach’ with Nepal and adopted more sensitive approach. It tried to provide a wider help in the economic and cultural fields also. The clear picture of this new approach can be visualized through the visits of Indian leaders in this period. Though Nepalese leaders also visited in response but India took this more important region seriously only after the China war. The visits by the leaders of both the countries are the clear indicatons of this. Lal Bahadur Shastri as Home Minister (March, 1963), Lal Bahdur Shastri again as Prime Minister (April, 1963), Dr Radha Krishanan as President (November, 1963), Swaran Singh as foreign minister (September, 1964), Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister (October, 1966), Morarji Desai as Deputy Prime Minister (October, 1967), Zakir Hussain as President (1968), Dinesh Singh as foreign minister (June, 1969), Maharaja Mahendra (August, 1963 and November-December 1965), Surya Bahadur Thapa as Prime Minister (March, 1966) and Mahender Bahadur Bhandari as foreign minister (May, 1969) visited each other’s countries.

The second important aspect of this new approach was the development of economic, cultural and social relations. Stress on more cooperation and participation was laid on economic relations rather than assistance given in earlier times so that Nepal can establish the relations with India at equal pace. Under this new approach, both countries signed various economic agreements. In 1964, India took the decision to construct a 128 miles long road from Sugoli to Oshvara valley with the cost of 9 crores. India also gave its consent to construct another road from Kathmandu to Raksol. Besides, India completed the ‘Kosi Plan’ on its own expenditure.

Under this approach, India did not object on difference from Nepal on any important issue. For example, the attitude of Nepal remained neutral during Indo-Pak war of 1965. India was not happy with this. It adopted the sympathetic and cooperative attitude rather than tough attitude towards Nepal. It does not mean that Nepal also taken new initiative to establish cordial relations. But contrary to this, differences remained there between the two on three-four issues. These issues were as follows:-

The foreign minister of Nepal raised some objections on Susta region and Kosi Canal Scheme during his visit in 1969. However, India offered to solve these matters through mutual talks but relations remained tense.

In June 1969, perhaps on the advice of China, Nepal asked India to call back coordination group and technical officers of its military deputed on posts of Nepal-China border.

During the same period, Nepal started to raise objections on India-Nepal Friendship Treaty of 1950.

The tension between both the countries started to develop since 1970 on the Treaty of Trade and Exchange.

Relations remained cordial even after the above hurdles. One thing is especially important about these disputes that China was a strategic challenge for India and it never wished that Nepal attracts towards China. But on the other side, China is a compulsion for Nepal. Besides, keeping in view the situation of Nepal as a buffer state, India kept on maintaining the normal relations with Nepal even after the above differences.

3.4. Normal Relations but with Differences

The period from 1972 to 1979 is called the fourth round of relations between both the countries. Relations remained normal during this period but some differences also remained on ‘declaration of peace zone’. During this period, main changes took place due to the internal and external interference in South Asia. In the beginning itself, three events happened in the way that their positive impact has been successful to bring both the countries closer. The most important change was the India-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of 1971. After that Indo-Pak war and birth of Bangladesh have been important incidents. In the same series, after the emperor Mahendra, king Birender was to be appointed as the emperor of Nepal in 1972 who was liberal by nature. These incidents made the India’s position strong in this region on the one side, and Nepal also established its close relations with India on the other side by changing its contrary attitude.

The Prime Ministers of both the countries K.N. Bisht and Indira Gandhi visited to each other’s countries. Both countries signed agreements for cooperation in the fields of irrigation, electricity, communication, industry and agriculture to improve their relations in 1974. But at the same time, Nepal got worried on the accession of Sikkim in India in 1975. Having noticed the quick reaction of Nepal, India assured it that its matter is quite different from Sikkim and Bhutan. Even after Nepal remained tough on this, then India said to Nepal that it is not capable to provide it oil and petrol on quota basis from 1st January 1975. After that Nepal adopted the normal attitude. Consequently, Prime Minister of Nepal N.P. Rizal (October, 1974) and Maharaja Birender (October, 1975) visited India. Indian foreign minister Y.B.Chavan also visited Nepal. Later on, Prime Minister of Nepal Tulsi Giri mentioned the disputed ‘Principle of Equal Distance’ during his visit to India in April 1976.

The main aim of India’s foreign policy under the Janta Party government in 1977 has been to develop the cordial relations with the neighbours. The relations of both became strong due to various steps taken during these two years (1977-79). During this period, mostly one sided concessions were declared by India. These were as follows:-

India took the responsibility of developing the industries of Nepal.

Instead of one, two different treaties of trade and exchange were signed in 1970. Custom duty was removed from about 60 goods made in Nepal.

Regular supply of 16 essential goods was assured to Nepal.

Under the transit treaty, Nepal was given exemption to take goods by road up to the Bangladesh. Nepal was provided with all the facilities of a land locked state according to this treaty.

For the development of good relations, Indian Prime Minister, and for many times, the foreign ministers visited Nepal and the king of Nepal also visited in response.

The most controversial issue of this period has been the declaration of Nepal as ‘Peace Zone’. This issue still creates suspicion in India-Nepal relations. First of all, this issue was discussed by Maharaja Birender during the summit of non-aligned countries at Algeria in September 1973. But it was propagated in real sense during the coronation speech of Maharaja in February 1975. Nepal has two basis in this context—- first, Nepal is a land locked country geographically and second, its economy is backward than those of third world countries. But India opposes this declaration at three basis—– (1) the declaration of ‘Peace Zone’ will destroy the ‘Special Relations’ of India and Nepal. Hence, India cannot support the declaration which affects its security in Northern region.(2) It is of no use because of the treaty of friendship and cooperation between India and Nepal. It does not leave any special importance. (3) From the viewpoint of Indo-China relations, India thought that keeping in view the geo-strategic system, the position of China-Nepal and India-Nepal cannot be evaluated on equal footing. India doesn’t consider the legitimacy of this activity of Nepal even in the period when there is an improvement in India-Nepal relations. Nepal has produced a seven point explanation also in this context which is as follows:-Nepal will always follow the policies of peace, non-alignment and peaceful co-existence. Simultaneously, it will develop the relations with all the nations of the world, particularly with neighbours, on the basis of mutual sovereignty and freedom.

Nepal will not use power against the peace and security of any nation.

Nepal will stress on the peaceful solution of the disputes of its own and others. Nepal will not interfere in the internal affairs of any other country.

Nepal will not allow any hostile activity against the supporters or opponents of this declaration.

Nepal will respect all the treaties signed by it until or unless these are valid.

Nepal will not form any military alliance with any country nor it will allow establishing military basis, and it would like if other nations follow the similar policies.

A large part of UN (almost 103 countries) has granted recognition to this declaration of Nepal. Some experts believe that India should also think on this line. Nepal has made this kind of appeal to India also in the decade of 1980. Nepal is under some psychological compulsions in this context. Hence, both have to take any positive decision in this regard in the changing world order from the angle of removing the contradictions between the leaderships of both the countries.

During this period, definitely, there has been a tension between the both on the incident of Sikkim accession and ‘declaration of peace zone’. As a whole, there were no hatred and conflicted relations. During this period, there was an important exchange between India and Nepal on trade matters and economic cooperation, and the relations of both got more matured.

3.5. Ups and Downs but Cordial Relations

Two important incidents happened in the last years of 1970s which affected the South Asia and relations of India and Nepal positively. First, Maharaja Birender planned to conduct a ‘National Referendum’ in Nepal through which people will be provided opportunity to choose their system. Through this, a process of reinstating the democracy started there, for which India has always supported. This was a good message for Indo-Nepal relations. Second, Soviet Union interfered in Afghanistan in 1979. India and Nepal were unanimous on this matter that this problem should be solved through political means rather than military means. Both were of the opinion that for the security and stability of this region, foreign forces should go back and there should be no intervention in internal affairs of a country by external powers. Both countries expressed their consent to take help in economic field and to take steps to dispose of all the beneficial plans rapidly. Besides, the trade agreements and the transit treaty approved in 1978 were executed again for next 5 years in 1983. The visits by the leaders of both the countries were the indicators of these cordial and friendly relations. During this period, President of India Neelam Sanjeev Reddy (December, 1981), President Gyani Zail Singh (July, 1986) and foreign minister Narsimha Rao (October, 1992) visited Nepal. From Nepal side, Maharaja Birender (March, 1980 and 1985) and Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa (February, 1983) also visited India. In this way, the relations of both the countries remained friendly till the first half of the 1980s.

The differences started to increase between the both in the last years of 1980s. Sometimes this situation reached even on the peak of sensations. Beside the declaration of already disputed ‘Peace Zone’, four new issues reached up to the level of conflict from the level of differences. These disputed issues were—- (1) import of weapons by Nepal; (2) execution of the permit system; (3) problem of citizenship; and (4) dispute on trade and transit treaty.

Maharaja Birender purchased the weapons from china in a large quantity in 1980 which reached Nepal in 1988 via Kathmandu-Kodari road. The estimated quantity of these weapons was from 300 to 500 trucks which included anti-aircraft guns, medium range missiles, AK-59 rifles etc. In Indian opinion, this was the violation of treaty of 1950 and India criticised Nepal for its bad intention for the possible use of these weapons against India.

At the same time, Nepal started the permit system on 150000 Indians working in Nepal while about 35 lakhs Nepalese have freedom to work in India. Not only this, but Nepal imposed 55% tax on Indian goods in its budget of 1988-89, and contrary to this, Nepal declared the 60% concession on the goods imported from other countries. India opposed these steps also because both of the countries have made provisions in the section 7 of ‘peace and friendship treaty’ of 1950 for their citizens to travel, reside, purchase of property, work etc.

The problem of citizenship also surfaced during this period. The officials of Nepal have started to tease the Indian workers who could not get the certificates of citizenship. Due to the lack of the certificates, these people were facing the problems in sale and purchase of the properties and getting the jobs. While contrary to this, Nepalese, residing in India, were not facing any such kind of problem.

The important than above three problems was the termination of trade and transit treaty between both the countries. This agreement got cancelled on 23rd March 1989 because both of them did not execute it again. As a result, India closed its all 16 posts except 2 (Raksol and Jogbani) situated for exchange at India-Nepal border. Now there will be a tax on all goods exported from India to Nepal. This will increase the prices of those goods in the market of Nepal. Besides, India demanded international prices for coal, iron, cement etc to be exported to Nepal. Simultaneously, India also denied its responsibility to supply coal and petrol to Nepal. Hence, it became the issue of grave dispute between the both. It caused severe problems for general masses in Nepal.

A question mark was put on the relations of the both due to the above differences. Now, Nepal was repeatedly asking for the ban on peace and friendship treaty of 1950. But this situation changed swiftly. As a result of elections in 1989, the government of Rajiv Gandhi collapsed and V.P. Singh government came into power. On the other side in Nepal, the partyless democracy ended in April 1990 after 30 years and the congress government of G.D. Koirala was formed. Both the governments tried to improve relations. Nepal also observed patience in using the China card. Consequently, on 10th June 1990 an agreement to observe status quo of 1st January 1987 was made till any final agreement between V.P. Singh and K.P. Bhattrai. Later on, both countries signed a 5-years trade treaty and 7-years transit treaty in November 1991 with the provision to execute it again for further period. In this way, friendly relations were repeated. As a result of these cordial relations, the Prime Minister of Nepal, Koirala (December, 1991) and Prime Minister of India, Narsimha Rao (October, 1992) visited each other’s countries. To make these relations sounder, Maharaja and Maharani of Nepal visited India for 6 days in May 1993.

Some doubts emerged about these relations with the arrival of Communist Party in Power in Nepal in 1993. But these doubts proved baseless. Its main reason was that before this time, the attitude of Communist Party has always been opposite to India, but it didn’t happen now. To make deep relations with each other, the Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal and the Prime Minister of Nepal paid their courtesy visits in February 1995 and April 1995 respectively. Through this, they made the relations sounder.

In February 1996, during the visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Diyuba, a new dimension was added in the relations of both the countries when an agreement was done on the development of Mahakali river. Indian Prime Minister, Inder Kumar Gujral, also paid a visit to Nepal during 5-7 June 1997 and signed various agreements of multi-dimensional nature. The most important agreement was to include the private entrepreneurs in the trade of electricity from Nepal by both the countries. Nepal has a capacity to produce 2500 megawatt hydro power but it is producing just 10% of it at present. Both Prime Ministers stressed to prepare the Pancheshvar scheme. Both stressed to send electricity from Tanakpur, approved under the Mahakali project, and immediate release of water to Nepal from Tanakpur and Sharda Barrage. Besides, agreements were signed and consents were expressed on new air services, trade, communication, tourism, etc. In addition to already given, Nepal was provided with the facility of one more trade route via Phulwari through Bangladesh.

Still there are various issues of differences between the two. These are as follows:-

Still both have differences on the issue of Kalapani (source of Mahakali river).

From time to time, Nepal has been raising the issue of evaluation of boundaries and to change the treaty of friendship and cooperation of 1950.

The issue of hiding, staying and shelter of anti Indian terrorists in Nepal has been a matter of severe differences between both the countries. India thinks that Pakistani intelligence agency ISI is running its activities in the Tarai and other regions of Nepal. The hijacking of India’s passenger plane IC-814 and taking it to Kabul is the strong example of this.

The issue of misusing the trade treaty of 1991 has also been a matter of India’s worries. India thinks that through this law Nepal is misusing the concessions in taxes and dumping the Indian markets with the goods importing from third world countries. Foreign minister Jaswant Sigh had raised this issue very seriously during his visit to Nepal in August 2001. On the other side, the government of Nepal condemns all these allegations and is willing to continue this treaty.

Worries of India increased more due to the internal changes, political instability, terrorist activities of Maoists and etc after the brutal murder of members of royal family in the beginning of 2001.

Even after the instability and changes, the relations between both the countries remained warm due to the continuation of exchanges between the leaders of both the countries. During the visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba (8-12 September 2004), both the countries expressed their consent not only on terrorism and defence cooperation but also talked to increase cooperation on trade, water treatment, demarcation and interpretation of boundaries, etc. In this context, the visit of Girija Prasad Koirala has been very important. During this visit, government of India expressed its wish to cooperate Nepal on 10 important points. Some important of them are as follows:-

To expedite the basic plans like roads, oil pipelines, railway connectivity, special economic zones etc;

One time grant of 100 crores in the budget for Nepal government; The loan of US $ 100 million for Nepal government;

To increase the Nepal assistance budget from Rs 65 crores to Rs 150 crores for the current financial year etc.

Besides, this cooperation continued during the visits of Nepalese Prime Ministers Punap Kumar Dahal ‘Prachand’ (14-18 September, 2008) and Madhav Kumar Nepal (18-22 August, 2009), and the foreign ministers of India Pranab Mukherji (24-26 November, 2008) and S.M. Krishana (15-17 January, 2010). During these visits, both the countries, along with the economic cooperation, expressed their consents for the production of 1000 megawatt extra energy in the coming next 14 years and to increase the cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields beside the construction of damaged bridge at Kosi river.

Even after these differences there are no permanent hurdles between both the countries. Hope that improvement in relations of both the countries will continue on bilateral basis. At the regional level, a general consensus emerged among the countries of South Asia on the issue of terrorism during a meeting of SAARC countries in January 2002 which will influence the bilateral issues of both the countries positively. It will end an important point of dispute between India and Nepal. Due to the changes at world level and policies of India towards neighbours, full possibilities of cordial relations between both the countries are available. Rest of the things will depend on incidents of future. Based on the facts, the coming time is also seemed to march towards the cordial relations between the both.

In keeping with the tradition of regular high level exchange of visits between India and Nepal, Nepalese Prime Minister, Sushil Koirala, accompanied by a high– level delegation, attended the swearing–in ceremony of Narendra Modi as the new Prime Minister of India, on 26th May 2014. Other visits from Nepal to India in the recent past include visits by Minister of Foreign & Home Affairs, Madhav Prasad Ghimire (14–15 January 2014); Minister of Finance, Industry, Commerce & Supplies, Shankar Prasad Koirala, (16–17 January 2014); Minister of Health & Population, Khag Raj Adhikari (26–27 March 2014); Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ (28–30 April 2013); and President, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav (24–29 December 2012). From the Indian side, the External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid, was on a goodwill visit to Nepal on 9 July 2013. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh paid an official visit to Nepal from 14– 15 September 2013. Other visits from India to Nepal in the recent past include visits by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New & Renewable Energy (20–21 December 2013); Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Rajya Sabha and President, ICCR (14–16 February 2014); Shri Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (17–18 February 2014); and Gen. Bikram Singh, Chief of Army Staff (13 to 14 March 2014).

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that basically the Indo-Nepal relations have been friendly but sometimes have been the victims of differences also. The relations have been intimidating mainly on the issue of China, but the situation improved by adopting the patience from both the sides. But one thing is very important in their relations that no other kind of relations can develop between the both except friendship. To be a land locked state and to be dependent on India for its needs is the biggest compulsion of Nepal. On the other side, Nepal is such a nation of strategic importance for India which can play the role of a buffer state between China and India. It will never wish to have non friendly relations with Nepal. Both need to understand each other’s approach. Due to its land locked situation, Nepal wants to be declared as a ‘Peace Zone’ which causes the relations to be tensed. India has to adopt a sensitive approach by considering it psyche of a small nation situated between the two countries. At present, three important elements are helpful in their cordial relations. First, the improving relations between India and China; Second, increasing cooperation among South Asian countries through SAARC; and third, the process of improving the relations with neighbouring countries under the ‘Gujral Doctrine’ since 1997. Hence, we can hope for good relations between the both till these trends are continued.

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Suggested Readings

a) Books/Articles

Amitabh Matto & Happymoon Jacob, Shaping India’s Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Har-Anand, 2010.
C.Raja Mohan, Crossing the Rubicon: The Shaping of India’s Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Penguin/Viking, 1993.
Kanti Bajpai & Harsh Pant, eds., India’s Foreign Policy: A Reader, New Delhi, Oxford, 2013.
K. Jha, Indo-Nepal Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Axis, 2013.
Lalit Mansingh, et al, eds., Indian Foreign Policy: Agenda for the 21st Century, New Delhi, Konark, 1998. ( 2 Vols.).
Muchkund Dubey, India’s Foreign policy: Coping With The Changing World, New Delhi, Pearson, 2012.
R.S.Yadav & Suresh Dhanda, eds., India’s Foreign Policy: Contemporary Trends, New Delhi, Shipra, 2009.
R.S.Yadav, Bharat Ki Videsh Niti, New Delhi, Pearson, 2013.
Rajiv Sikri, Challenges and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign policy, New Delhi, Sage, 2014.
Ramesh Thakur, Politics and Economics of India’s Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Oxford, 1994.
Sanassam Sandhyarani Devi, India-Nepal Relations: Historical, Cultural and Political Perspectives, New Delhi, Vij Publications, 2011.
Stephan Cohen, India: Emerging Power, Washington, D.C., Brookings, 1993.
Summit Ganguly, ed., India’s Foreign Policy: Retrospect and Prospect, New Delhi, Oxford, 2010.
V.P.Dutt, India’s Foreign Policy in a Changing World, New Delhi, 1999.

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