Comments on: Should India invade Nepal?

by: Yazad

Sat, 19 Nov 2005 18:42:57 +0000

Comments on this post are closed. I’m surprised that this minor piece received so much attention and vitriol. Needless to say, the abusive and ad hominem comments have been deleted. It was fun reading all the invective by those who missed the point of this post. But seven months later, it’s become a bit of a bore. Go home folks and get a life.

by: Paramendra Bhagat

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 09:08:58 +0000

India invading Nepal is an outlandish suggestion in this day and age. Not going to happen. Instead the Indian private sector should fund the movement for democracy in Nepal.

by: Chirag chhaya

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 01:19:28 +0000

This one goes to my friend who is anonymous and calls himself A Nepali. Man, you and few other folks from Nepal talk like Pakistanis talk against India. I can understand Pakistan’s hatred towards India and vice versa, but I didn’t expect this coming from Nepal. Find me a single person in India who geniunely hates Nepal or wants Nepal to be invaded by India, and I will bow down on you. If you carefully read my previous posts in this thread, you will realize that nowhere I have said anything insulting against Nepal or Nepalis, eventhough some folks from Nepal have said insulting thing against Indians and India. First of all, you got it entirely wrong by saying that Maoists are India’s invention. Wherever there is social injustice, continous neglect, and poverty, there is always a rebellion against the government. Same thing is going on in Northeast India and naxalite areas of Andhra pradesh. Even India has maoist problem in Bihar, West bengal, and Chattisgarh, although not severe as in Nepal. If you carefully examine the conditions of all these parts of India, you will realize how remote, neglected and underpriviliged these people are. Thus, they have raised a violent rebellion against the sleeping Indian government. Similarly Nepali politicians and especially kings, sorry but it is true, have done nothing for Nepalis. Besides, where did maoist idea came from? Who is Mao and where is he from? Is he from India? Certainly not. He was a bloody chinese communist dictator. Also, the weapons that Maoists are using are mostly Chinese made or few from Pakistan’s ISI operating in Bangladesh. Even the maoist leader Prachanda had said that eventually they will have to fight against Indian army. So does that make Maoists and Indian government friends who jointly plotted this insurgency in Nepal? One more thing you had said made me wonder. You said that India had never decisively won any war. Three times against Pakistan, even in difficult Kargil war, India had smashed Pakis. Remind you, it was Pakistan’s misadventure all three times that initiated the war. Eventhough, India has returned the pakistani territory everytime without any bargaining condition of returning the Pakistan occupied Kashmir to India. We are not interested in anybody’s land, but we are not chakkas who will clap and do nothing when any enemy occupies our land. The only war India had lost was against China, and that too was largely due to Nehru’s foolishness. His philosophy was too Gandhivadi and unrealistic. He trusted China till the last moment when they had already entered in significant India territories. He did not ordered our army to attack first, and as a result China had a big advantage and we lost a lot of lives and lot of land against China. As I had said before, India has never invaded any country in her last 1000 years of history. On the contrary, India was invaded, plundered, looted, and raped many times by Mughals, british, and europeans. So, be assured that India will never invade Nepal because we know the disastrous consequences of that misadventure. I agree that India sometimes is too nosy in the neighboring countries’ business because of our genuine care and the fear that the problem in neigboring countries might spill in India. If we are going to get hatred from Nepal inspite of being genuinely concerned about Nepal, then I think India should leave alone Nepal completely and let Nepal learn from her mistakes of trusting countries like China. India had already trusted China, and the result we all know. China is nobody’s friend and it’s only motto is to expand and occupy smaller himalayan states like bhutan, nepal, etc. They already have done that in Tibet. Even Taiwan had said that China is nobody’s friend. They have border problems even with Russia, Tajikistan, and argument with Taiwan. The hindi proverb completely fits the situation of India, “neki kar aur dariya mein daal”. We helped Bangladesh attain freedom from Pakistan and today bangladesh is the center of all anti-India activities and is happening under their government’s support. India trusted Pakistan many times and has shown friendly gestures to improve relations, but pakistan has backstabbed India many times. India is highly obliged to Nepal because thousands of brave Gorkhas are serving in Indian army for years. However, at the same time don’t forget that India has welcomed all Nepalis to settle in India and make a better life.

by: Nepali

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 06:41:35 +0000

People,

Before you debate the merits of whether India’s system of Justice (is it eqaully available to every Indian?), Governance (Does New Delhi Govern all of India?), etc. you may want to visit your archives and figure out what went wrong with India’s misadventure in Sri Lanka. Go figure.

The Maoists continually raise the issue of the Indian Army waiting to invade / intervene in Nepal and this is a popular recruitment theme. Have you considered that the Nepalese might fight back? Have you considered that the 50,000 elite Gorkha troops in the Indian Army may not wish to invade their motherland? Have you considered that given active service in three armies (British, Indian and Nepali) a sizeable chunk of the Nepalese population is war trained? And that given the motivation they will fight back? Have you considered that the Nepalese security forces, though poorly equipped, are a battle hardened force, some of them with 5 years of war under their belt? Finally how many of you really know the terrain and topography of Nepal? Also then consider the positions of countries like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on any misadventure the Indians may want to dream up.

So, for all you arm chair warriors it may be a better thing if you were to look closer to home and ask some very hard questions.

1) Who actually gave birth to the Maoists of Nepal? Remember the Moists meet regulary with Indian politicains including those of the present coalition Government.

2) Who is responsible for encouraging the politicians of Nepal to plunder the national exchequre, thereby destablilising the economy and then playing the part of hero.

3) If the Maoists were to ‘win’ in Nepal where would they next try to export their ideology? New Delhi, it seems to me, is a lot closer to any point in Nepal that Washington, Beijing or Islamabad.

4) When did the Indian Army last, decisively win a war? Memory fails me…

A time I trust for introspection.

A Nepali

by: sam

Thu, 11 Aug 2005 06:13:41 +0000

I think Nepal will benefit greatly by befriending India. Nepal is suffering and now king is playing the China card when he knows that that is in fact a joker’s card. China has no intention to flagellate the Tibet imbroglio. Nepal is too insignificant and may trigger rebellion in its muslim west. Nepal’s long term ally has to be India. Or it will destroy itself. India will never grab Nepal for many reasons. It will be too big a problem for its economy. Think of Gorkha Regiment of India fighting at the border areas with the communist extremists with India’s gun power. Think of screening each village with report card of each individual aged 15-45 and you know what to do.

by: Chirag chhaya

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 01:37:26 +0000

I totally agree with Dronaraj. Let me assure you man, I don’t think that Indian people would support Indian government even if Indian government think of occupying Nepal. There will be massive protest against that in India if government even think about that. People in India see Nepal as a distinct country and I don’t think that anybody is interested in capturing Nepal. I blame the people like Mr. Barman who started this baseless discussion thread. People like him are responsible for instilling hatred in minds of people. Nepal pose no security threat to India unlike Bangladesh or Pakistan whose intentions India can never trust because both of these countries are breeding grounds for anti-India propaganda and terrorists. Also, I want to input my views regarding a comment made by Mr. Avash sharma, I believe who said that India is responsible for Nepal’s poverty and maoist problem. Well, Mr. Sharma I disagree with you in this stance. Nepal is a landlocked country and it’s main source of income is tourism and textile industry. Nepal’s terrain is largely covered with mountains and forests and being a small country it has very less agricultural land. Offcourse, it’s rich in water resources though. Nepal is getting a lot of economic aid from UN and different countries of the world every year including INDIA. People from India like marwadi, bihari, etc. have settled in Nepal and flourished the business. However, have you ever wondered that where does the money that comes to Nepal as economic aid goes? You will not like what I will say, but much of that money is swallowed by Nepal’s king who still wants to hold control over Nepal and is against democracy. Much of the money is also swallowed by Nepal’s corrupt politician. I am not saying that our politicians are any better, they are actually worse like Lalu prasad yadav, mayawati, etc. Though India is a big country and has many resources, but India too has huge problems of poverty, corruption, illiteracy, unemployement, terrorism, crime, communal riots, and billion mouths to feed. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China’s hidden agenda is to increase problems in India to make sure India never becomes a major power in the world. However, we Indians don’t single-handedly blame only Pakistanis, chinese, or bangladeshis for all that happens wrong in India. Whenever something goes wrong in any country, the government and the people of that country are first responsible and then the neighboring country’s agendas. Thus, we Indians never blame only our neighbors for all poverty and lack of progress in India. Finally, any country will first think of the national interest and welfare of it’s people first before thinking of welfare of neighboring countries. Yes, I agree that India has adopted a snail’s pace on economic and business help to Nepal. Well, let me tell you that Indian government is adopting snail’s pace even for the welfare of it’s own people. Many projects like road building, bridges, railway improvement, etc. are incomplete for years and years in India. People have complained for years, but government has done nothing but promise. Even after suffering from all these problems of it’s own, India has always helped their friendly neighbors from time to time. Agreed that India cannot give billions of dollars like US because it’s not that rich a country, but it’s doing it’s best. Recently in tsunami time, India was also affected in Tamilnadu and Andhra pradesh, but still India not only helped Indonesia and Srilanka moniterily, but also sent it’s army for rescue and re-building work. When 911 happened in US, India was the first country to declare support to US on war over terrorism, even before president bush asked for help from other countries. Finally, India knows very well that a stable and progressive neighbouring country is better and safe for both countries rather than an unstable and aggresive neighboring country. Thus, India is trying to work out it’s differences even with her number one rival Pakistan. After saying all these things, I don’t blame Nepal for it’s complains and anger towards India. India is Nepal’s neighbor and a hindu dominant country also. Thus, it’s natural that Nepal feel left behind in the current economic progress and IT success that India has achieved. But, I truly believe that people of Nepal are capable of achieving progress and stability. It might take some time to tackle issues like maoist insurgency, but if small countries like Singapore and Taiwan can succeed then why can’t Nepal?

by: Dronaraj Bhatta

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 08:49:04 +0000

First of all I want to say “Thank You” to chirag chhaya for his views. I am a Nepal and I love Nepal and I also Love India (although most of the times India tries to meddle with our business and tries to screw things up) .

The person who started this thread should realize that Nepal is older as a country than India, and we Nepalese cherish our independence and we have never allowed it to be colonized by any other country (like the UK for example).

It would be a disaster for India to try to invade Nepal because although Maoists are fighting the government right now and the whole country is in chaos; if someone else meddled with Nepal all of the country WILL unite and fight the outsider till death.

Ever wondered why there is a Gorkha regiment from Nepal in the UK but no Indian regiment, although the UK ruled India for more than 200 years and it never ruled Nepal?

This should tell you that we WILL fight the evil that will try to invade us and cut them in a million pieces, be them our own brothers.

Leave us alone for your own sake. Go invade Pakistan and Bangladesh instead, after all they were a part of India till 1947.

by: chirag chhaya

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 06:44:14 +0000

Hello everybody. I came up to this website while trying to learn more about Nepal through google search. I have been living in US since last six years and have two Nepali co-employees working with me who are absolutely wonderful. From what I have learned from them about Nepal and from what I have known about Nepal through media and television, one thing is sure that there is no significant difference in culture of Nepal and India. Both countries are hindu majority with other religions like budhists, muslims, and christians in minority. Being hindu countries, both have similar customs and traditions. Actually, India’s culture is more closer to Nepal than Pakistan’s. Nepal has people of tibetan race and features and so does India. If you compare Nepali and hindi languages, both are so similar. Only spoken form is different, but alphabets are similar. I am gujarati and have found many common words in gujarati and nepali. Even many people of Nepal have Indian ancestors. People from Nepal come to India and many have made great careers like Udit narayan and manisha koirala. Even Indian army has a special Gorkha regiment who are known and respected for their bravery. Nepalese might not like it, but Nepal can be easily seen as just another state in India because even in India every state has a different language, culture, and demography. Kingship like Nepal was also in every state of India before independance, but Sardar patel merged all of them to form one India. But after saying all these, I don’t mean that India has all authority over Nepal. Nepal being a neighboring hindu country does not give India a license to own it. For e.g., both Pakistan and Afghanistan are islamic countries, but that doesn’t mean that they should unite. Nepal has always remained an independent sovereign country. Nepalese have all right to solve their issues on their own and Indians don’t need to poke their noses in their affairs. Only thing India can do is to give a helping hand. However, Nepal should not forget that India is the only hindu dominant country and can guard both countries from the muslim and christian attacks. Also, Nepal should not trust China too much over India, because who knows that China might be interest secretely in taking over Nepal like they did in Tibet so that they can be in direct confrontation with India. India has already paid a huge price of trusting China. Expansionist and communist government of China cannot be fully trusted. Nepal also need to be wary of Pakistan’s intention in disturbing Nepal-India relationship through propaganda like Hrithik roshan issue which was a clever pakistani agent’s plot to arouse anti-India feelings in Nepal. Every small countries in the world that are surrounded by big and powerful countries feel that their powerful neighbors are exploiting them or being bossy on them. Same feeling is evident in few people in Nepal. Maoists and other political people take advantage of these feelings and use it for their own vested interests. Nepali people need not worry because India can’t dare or afford to make a blunder of invading Nepal. This can easily cause a disastrous situation and China also might take advantage of this situation and attack India. And frankly, I don’t think that invading Nepal is even in distant thoughts of any political leader in India. Besides, in one thousand years of India’s history, India has never invaded any country. On the contrary, Pakistan had invaded India in 1948 and taken over large part of kashmir and China had invaded India in 1962 and taken over large territories of India. Both of which India has never demanded back. India has never taken first initiative in any war. Need of the hour is more economic and military help should be given to Nepal from India and Nepal don’t need to be suspicious of India’s intention. People of Nepal and India have far healthier relationship than people of Pakistan and India. It’s all dirty politics that comes in the way of peace and harmony because that’s how politicians can keep their positions secure forever.

by: amit varma

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Firstly, the comparison with Iraq isn’t valid in this context, that was an entirely different case, for various different reasons.

We should only go to war with anyone if our national interests are imperilled by our not doing so. The only way the political situation in Nepal could harm our national interest is if the Maoists gain strength, and increase infiltrations along the Bihar border and help the naxalite movements in India. That can surely be prevented without going to war with them.

So, no war. But we should help Gyananedra put down the Maoists, and then put pressure on him to restore democracy. The latter task is far easier than the first, which is much more vital. We don’t want another Cambodia.

by: Nitin

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Yazad,

I think India must not rule out a 1971-style military intervention in Nepal. If Gyanendra and the Maoists take the country on a death-spiral (as they are on the verge of doing), then it makes a lot of sense for India to intervene.

There are two main (inter-related) reasons for this:
a) Prevent a humanitarian disaster in Nepal; the big mistake India made in 1971 was to move in after the genocide that wiped out Bangladeshi intellectuals.

b) To defend its own interests: A Maoist victory is undesirable; an inflow of refugees in a prolonged-bloody-civil war is undesirable; a two-hoots-to-India Gyanendra is undesirable; King Paras (god forbid) is undesirable. Only a sustained constitutional democracy will be in India’s long term interests.

Besides, the mere threat of military intervention can help restore some sense in Nepal. And for a threat to be effective, India must be prepared to carry it out.