Commentary

By P.R. Pradhan What are the priorities of Nepal’s foreign policy, the political leaders are unable to speak clearly! So far, in words, they are describing it as maintaining independent foreign policy based on equal friendship with all the countries. It has been explained in the common minimum programme unveiled by the alliance government Sunday. Moreover, the present very weak government partnered by the political parties having adverse political ideologies has explained about resolving Nepal’s internal border problems including the Lippulekh controversy through diplomatic efforts. The government, which is unable to assign a foreign minister even after its constitution of around one month, has explained about reviewing the past treaties. The much-hyped American grant project Millennium Challenge Corporation didn’t get space in the common minimum programme due to the fear of facing strong public criticism. However, works under the project have already been started through the backdoor channel. MCC controversy: The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an American grant project worth 500 million US$ provided by the American government for the infrastructural development of Nepal. The project includes the construction of roads and transmission lines for electricity supply. The project deal was finalized by then foreign minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara when Maoist Center chairman Pushpakamal Dahal was the prime minister. The project was inked by the then finance minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki when Sher Bahadur Deuba was heading a coalition government. Therefore, Deuba and Prachanda are morally bound for its endorsement from the parliament. In the present government, Karki has been assigned as the Minister for Law and Justice with the plan of facilitating the American project. Outgoing prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli was not against the American grant project. He had assigned Yubraj Khatiwada, known to be a pro-West person as the finance minister. Khatiwada always emphasized introducing western projects by sidelining the projects under BRI. Oli, to improve his relations with the West, had assigned Khatiwada as the finance minister. Oli was of the view for continuing Khatiwada as the finance minister but his plan was failed due to non-cooperation from the then ruling party, NCP. Later, Oli had assigned Khatiwada as his financial advisor and then the ambassador to the USA. The sole idea of Oli was to please the West by rewarding Khatiwada, the Westerners’ man. Oli, however, didn’t become successful to endorse the MCC project from the House of Representatives, mainly due to the non-cooperation of Prachanda. When the controversy was surfaced on the implementation of the project, Prachanda decided to keep the file impending in the House. Prachanda directed his team’s confidant member then speaker Krishnabahadur Mahara to keep the MCC file impending. Later, speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota also played the same role and kept the MCC file impending. Prachanda was also trying to bargain with the US administration for its cooperation in granting amnesty on the cases of severe violation of human rights during the conflict era. Prachanda played a negative role when there was an almost two-thirds majority government, however, now, he is under pressure from PM Deuba for early endorsement of the MCC project. Nevertheless, partners in the coalition government are divided on the endorsement of the American grant project in the as-it-is situation. A section of the partners in the government is of the view of the removal of some terms and conditions such as endorsement of the project from the House of Representatives and also the American assurance that the project doesn’t belong to the Indo-Pacific Strategy, American deign containing China, its rival. Foreign policy in doldrums: The present government is strongly dominated by those belonging to the Indo-West lobby. PM Deuba is known to be the US closed leader. Later, he also joined the Indo-West lobby in Delhi. The formation of the present coalition government is the result of the act of the Indo-West lobby in Nepal. Therefore, the present government may try to keep a distance from our Northern neighbour by developing close relations with the Indo-West lobby. However, the geopolitical existence of the country doesn’t allow Nepal to take one neighbour’s side by neglecting another neighbour. Considering the present global scenario of polarization of the global powers and viewing increasing tension in South Asian countries, including the conflict in Afghanistan, Nepal should maintain a balanced foreign policy. Nepal's role as a non-aligned country has become important in the present global cold war situation. Nepal should maintain an equidistance policy with the two immediate neighbours and should remain alert from the American design, Indo-Pacific Strategy, which is solely aimed at containing China. If Nepal will fail to maintain a balanced foreign policy, surely, the country may face the fate of Afghanistan. In the meantime, endorsement of the MCC grant project may turn very costly for Nepal.