New Dimension of Nepal-India Relation; From Roti-Beti to Youth Connectivity

Kathmandu: ‘What does India wish?’, Let’s be more straight, ‘What does India want?’ These are some of the buzzing questions that are heard time and again. A wide group of people including politicians, diplomats, teachers, students, and farmers keep discussing a lot on the same subject.

These are some of the popular questions in every gathering and every tea shop. While discussing this subject, people try to give their best possible opinion. People feel like being a patriot national when dealing with the question.

Some even suspiciously analyze the diplomatic relationship between Nepal and India. Some say, ‘India always wants to keep Nepal under its control.’ Others say, ‘India wants Nepal to always feel dependent.’

This is the popular conclusion. Before dealing with the question, ‘What does India want?’, let’s have a few discussions regarding the relationship between Nepal and India.’

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There is the relationship of ‘Roti-Beti‘ (i.e. close bonds through employment as well as families and marriages). This has been a widely accepted rhetoric for ages.

The phrase ‘Roti-Beti’ has been popular among the people. The word ‘Roti’ refers to the employment. And ‘Beti’ refers to the marriage. Both countries are dependent on each other for various supplies of consumer goods.

It is not a topic to brag about, but Nepal shares an abstract bond with India. Nepal has no such relationship with any other countries. The ”Roti-Beti’ relation is connected with employment, to and fro movement, marriage, transactions, fair and marriage. Irrespective of the relationship between the two governments, the Roti-Beti relationship is continuing between the citizens of the nations.

The Constitution of Nepal 2072 has to make arrangements to strengthen the ‘Roti-Beti’ relationship. The Government of Nepal has made it easier for Indian women nationals to gain citizenship in Nepal after marriage to a Nepali national. The citizenship bill, which was passed a few months ago, guaranteed to provide citizenship to Indian women nationals in a short period after the marriage.

The natural, religious, social, and border elements contribute to strengthening the relationship between Nepal and India.

Nepal and India are not just neighboring countries but old friends. Both nations must cooperate to receive mutual benefits from each other. The coordination between the nations has increased regarding connectivity and energy-related fields in the past few months.

The booming economy of India is even supporting the economy of Nepal. The growth of one nation seems to be a support for the other. India has agreed to buy electricity from Nepal. This seems to have a huge impact on the economy of Nepal. This is supporting the infrastructure of Nepal. There is no doubt that India has been supporting Nepal’s economic, social, and tourism development both directly and indirectly.

But still, there are also groups of Nepali nationals, who have been suspecting the diplomatic relationship between Nepal and India.

Average Nepali national understands that the Nepal policy of India is to make Nepal always dependent on India. Although India has been supporting Nepal in International Business, direct foreign investment, and support for development in various sectors, the young generations of Nepal do not seem to have an optimistic impression of India.

Primary- ‘Youth Connectivity’

The similarity in the language and culture between Nepal and India has been helping the entertainment industries of both nations. We can see the exchange of artists contributing to each other’s creative work.

Popular Indian artists have huge fan followers in Nepal. And even Nepali artists have a decent fan following in India. The recent performance of Indian singer Arjit Singh in Nepal and the Coke Studio collaboration of Ani Choying Drolma in India is an example of the respect paid to the artists by the people of both nations.

And even the Bollywood movies have a decent market in Nepal. The love provided by the Indian audience towards the release of Prem Geet-3 in India was another landmark for the Nepali movie industry.

Similarly, the YouTube content creators of both nations can be seen winning the hearts of audiences by singing about the creation of the neighboring countries. We can see audiences of both nations motivating the creative personals of the other nations on several occasions.

Despite such support, why are the anti-Indian feelings reported? Who implanted the anti-Indian feeling in the youngsters? This question is popular in the Indian circle nowadays. And it has become a topic of discussion in India.

In opposition to the increasing anti-Indian feelings among Nepali youths, experts say that the bilateral relationship of both countries must focus on the ‘Youth Connectivity’ strategy rather than the ‘Roti-Beti.’

Although people describe the relationship between the nationals of the two nations as amazing, experts conclude that there are different opinions of Nepali youths regarding their perspective towards India.

Youths believe India intervenes in the internal affairs of Nepal. This seems to be another reason for creating irritation in the relationship between the nations. Hence, researchers have recommended the ‘Youth Connectivity’ as the primary strategy.

Connectivity is the basis of the interrelationship between the public of the two nations. The open border, between the two nations, has eased the people residing in the border area. The roadways and railways are also part of the connectivity. However, a discussion has begun in India to put the Nepali young generation as the priority under the connectivity strategy to strengthen the relationship between the nations.

Dimensions of the relationship from ‘Roti Beti’ towards ‘Youth Connectivity’

According to experts, India needs to keep Youth Connectivity a priority as the latest ground by dropping the old perspective and removing misunderstandings between Nepal and India.

Diplomats had an interaction with the Nepali Journalists in India last week. The team of Nepali journalists was led by the Independent Youth Democratic Union Chairperson Arabind Mahato. Diplomats commented that India must keep Youth Connectivity as a priority in India’s policy towards Nepal.

The discussion took place at Swami Vivekananda International Foundation. India’s experts on Nepal Affairs concluded that the Roti-Beti relationship should never be damaged but must be strengthened in the upcoming days.

Nepal Affairs Expert and retired Indian Lieutenant General Dr. Rakesh Sharma said, ‘It has been ages that we have been defining the relationship as Roti-Beti. The term has turned into a cliché. It’s not the same scenario now. There have been enormous changes. The bilateral relationship of the two nations must be analyzed with a different dimension. The relationship must be taken ahead with youth connectivity.’

According to Dr. Sharma’s analysis, the anti-Indian feelings increased exponentially when India showed dissatisfaction with the constitution of Nepal and imposed a blockade on the border.

Dr. Sharma said that the dissatisfaction of Nepali youth towards India also skyrocketed with the border issue regarding Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. He said that the youths of the two sovereign nations must play a crucial role in taking the relationship of the youths to greater heights.

‘We are brothers. Sometimes there might be misunderstandings. But, all the problems must be solved. And we must move ahead, ‘he said, ‘Even the railway line must be established from Delhi. There is a good relationship between us. It must be maintained as it is.’

The Former Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, who also worked as the National Security Advisor member Avadesh Mathur said that India must directly connect with the Nepali youth. He said that India must shuffle the policies with India as the youths were participating in Nepali politics.

‘Nepali Youths are evolving in the IT sector. The National Cricket Team of Nepal is developing. India has been providing scholarships to many youths in education. India must work in various fields to provide opportunities to Nepali youths,’ said Mathur.

He said that the connection between the Indian and Nepali youths must be increased. The belief that India has a huge movement in Nepal is also one of the reasons behind the anti-India feelings in the Nepali Youth, said Mathur.

He said, ‘Nepali youths feel that the impact of India has increased in Nepal. However, China has a huge impact on Nepal. Even the USA has that impact. It is mandatory to create a balance for Nepal between India and China. But the relationship with India is more profitable than that of China. We just want to strengthen the ancient relationship.’

Swami Vivekananda International Foundation Director Dr. Arvind Gupta said that there must be coordination between the youths of the two nations. There must be a policy to strengthen the economy of both countries.

He said, ‘India has signed an agreement of 10 thousand Megawatt electricity with Nepal. When the flow of electricity to India begins, then there will be magic in the economy of Nepal. The trade between India and Nepal would increase to 8 million dollars. This is a huge development. There is an open border between us, and no problem with visas. Now, the coordination between the youths must be increased.’

Retired Lieutenant General of the Indian Army RK Swahy said that India was providing opportunities to Nepali youths and was ready for additional collaboration.

‘No other country keeps 80 thousand foreign youths in their country. We have kept 3 Nepali nationals in the Army. They were in the core command. Because we had a belief for Nepali Youths, ‘he said, ‘There are lakhs of Nepali nationals working in India. Other countries have not given the opportunities that we have given to Nepali nationals. We want to get connected with additional Nepali youths. ‘

Nepali version of the story