Regulate Border With India to Curb Crimes in Nepal Terai

By Divas

*”Some of these groups that are making life difficult in Terai may have some kind of links in north India. It would be enormously helpful if Indian authorities are able to keep these people under control.” – Matthew Kahane, UN resident & humanitarian coordinator in Nepal

Just a couple of days after I wished India a ‘Happy Republic Day’, some incidents have drawn my attention to India’s relationship with its neighbors, especially the ’smaller’ ones.

Some news items:

*Nepal has informally alleged India of encroaching Nepali territory in Susta.

India has been accusing of Pakistani intelligence ISI using the Nepali territory.

*There were exchange of firings with the killing of at least one civillian between the two sides of Indo-Bangladesh border over a minor scuffle.

*US envoy to Nepal, Nancy Powell is in New Delhi to discuss Nepal issues with Indian officials.

*China has ‘unofficially’ expressed its concern on the activities going on in the Southern Terai bordering India.

*”Some of these groups that are making life difficult in Terai may have some kind of links in north India. It would be enormously helpful if Indian authorities are able to keep these people under control.” – Matthew Kahane, UN resident & humanitarian coordinator in Nepal

The Indo-Nepal relationship is the most ambivalent of all. The people & leaders of both countries vassilate between suspicion & trust now & then.

The issues of culture, economy, & border has never been defined clear-cut as with other countries.

But it’s high time that the traditional international border between the two nations is regulated in accordance with international parameters.

Allowing unwanted political & criminal groups to rule their own agenda on both sides of in the name of cultural similarity has been harmful to both countries.

Almost all nations share similar cultures on both sides of the political borders, but that is not a criterion/excuse to keep them open when more harm than good is inflicted on both sides.

In fact, Indo-Nepal border may be the most unregulated porous border in the world – even EU countries have not been able to adopt such openness.

And India has already increased its vigilance with the deployment of its Border Security Force along more than 1000 kms Indo-Nepal stretch. But no such effort has been dared from the Nepali side.

Either Nepali government & people should accept the Indian security umbrella like Bhutan, or deal with the issues with a firm backbone.

For, in most conflicting nations, especially those with high cross – border criminal activities, the old adage still holds true – that good fences make good neighbors.