(Courtesy: Ramzes)
A guilty conscience is often identified by a party's reaction to suggestive comments. In the mind of the guilty, the "suggestion" is easily misinterpreted as an "allegation." This invariably leads to a panicked reaction. The unintended consequence of such a reaction is self-implication. The intentional application of this method is one of the oldest tricks in the book of criminal investigations. But sometimes, even unintended applications (of this approach) produce results. A perfect example of this dynamic was the Indian government's response to Matthew Kahane's harmless observations.
The Indian government's reaction to Nepal's resident UNMIN Advisor, Matthew Kahane, is the most obvious display of Indian guilt (on Nepal), to date. The Indian government's formal complaint to the UN Security Council's Chief of Cabinet speaks volumes of the mindset of the Indian establishment and its foreign policy objectives in Nepal.
The thrust of Matthew Kahane's message is captured in two short sentences: "Some of these (violent) groups that are making life difficult in (the) Terai may have some kind of links in North India..." and "It would be enormously helpful if Indian authorities are able to keep these people under control."
Kahane's first sentence is part fact and part suggestion. His statement that certain groups are making life difficult for Nepali people in the Terai is a fact. There is no debate on the misery that armed groups like the JTMM and the Madhesi Tigers have brought upon the Terainans. The second part of Kahane's observation suggests that the groups causing misery to the Terainans may have links to unscrupulous elements across the Nepali border. There is no suggestion whatsoever of the Indian government's links to either the violent elements in Nepal's southern plains or to their interlocutors in India's north.
Kahane's second quote from above is an ask of "Indian authorities" to help "control" trouble-makers in India. This is a request, not an allegation. It is an appeal that factors in the realities of the situation in southern Nepal while respecting India's sovereignty and regional standing.
Although India's disgruntled reaction to Kahane is baseless, Kahane's observations are not.
Kahane's remarks have caused New Delhi unease because of Kahane's affiliation with the UN; not because Kahane's remarks are inaccurate or misleading. To the contrary, Matthew Kahane has innocently restated what countless Nepali Army Officers, bureaucrats and politicians had said, throughout Nepal's Maoist insurgency - that the key to stabilizing Nepal, lies with India.
Some things in Nepal are different today while others are not. The Maoist insurgency that relied heavily on elements within India for its growth and sustenance is (arguably) over. But the Indian tendency to keep fanning the flames of instability in Nepal, persists.
Maoist leader Prachanda's visit to north India after signing Nepal's Comprehensive Peace Agreement deserves mention here. Prachanda stated then, that he wished to thank his Indian "friends" who had sheltered him and his kind, throughout Nepal's brutal insurgency. Given this recollection, is it so outlandish to assume that within the foreseeable future, the world will witness leaders of the JTMM or the Madhesi Tigers doing exactly as Prachanda has already done?
Further, the apprehension and detention of C. P. Gajurel and Mohan Baidya in India are also facts worth recalling. Charges against both were dropped and the duo were returned to Nepal shortly after India engineered the 12 Point Agreement. So without a doubt, India put an end to Nepal's Maoist insurgency. So what's stopping India from preempting another insurgency (in Nepal) by off-shoots of the same Maoists that India "shoved" into Nepal's interim government?
Given the facts presented above, however innocently Matthew Kahane may have made his remarks, was Kahane really that far off the mark? Should UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon have to get down on his knees and apologize to the Indian government? Should Kahane have to "clarify" his remarks upon his return to Nepal? What about apologies to Nepal? Has anyone said sorry to the Nepali people for over a decade of sustained violence that was sponsored by elements who self-admittedly operated from within northern India?
Matthew Kahane's remarks are perfectly within UNMIN's current mandate, a part of which is to help Nepal overcome challenges to holding constituent assembly elections. If one manifestation of such challenges is the cross-border movement of armed elements (that are intent on disrupting elections), then Kahane's observations are within reason. The Indian government's reaction however, is not.
India's reaction is very telling in two ways: First, it's a disclosure of the Indian fear of heightened Nepali nationalism; Second, it's an admission that the Indian government either has no control over its northern frontier or does not wish to exercise the control it has. Either way, the Indian reaction in Kathmandu (through its emissary), in New York (via the Indian mission to the UN) and through Nepal's Home Minister (Krishna Sitoula - the Indian agent in Nepal's interim government) is evidence enough that India would rather take strides to discredit UNMIN and Matthew Kahane than accept its own internal weaknesses.
India has remained an obstacle to the expansion of UNMIN's mandate in Nepal. At the same time, India complained to the UN that Kahane's remarks overstepped the boundaries of UNMIN's mandate. Without a doubt, UNMIN is a thankless job and the organization has its own set of bureaucratic challenges to overcome. But seriously, should pampering a petty minded, red-faced, guilt ridden Indian government be a part of UNMIN's mandate too?
Related Posts:
Smoke and Mirrors - Why Nepal's Constituent Assembly Elections Won't Happen in April 2008
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/12/smoke-and-mirrors-why-nepals.html
Nationalism as a Political Agenda - Defining Nepali Interests
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/12/nationalism-as-political-agenda.html
Constructive Feedback for Ian Martin - Time for a change in UNMIN's Leadership
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/12/constructive-feedback-for-ian-martin.html
14 comments:
I hope the Indian "Goerment" is reading this piece. Please, forward to: pic@eoiktm.org,india@un.int & indiaun@prodigy.net
Mathew Kahane is not a "resident UNMIN Advisor"; he is the UN Resident Co-oordinator as well as the UNDP Resident Representative.
Besides this, the piece is bang-on.
Horatio, good technical comment. You're right.
This site has consistently been very critical of the UNMIN. The criticism has been mostly constructive and often, right on the mark. It is good to see that this writing also acknowledges the difficulties of the UNMIN.
UNMIN's work will be expanded to solve the crisis of terai arms groups....
I highly doubt that UNMIN's work will get expanded to do anything more... they have not been able to generate anything of value for Nepal. And, neither India nor China want the UNMIN for any longer than absolutely necessary.
At best, the UNMIN will get another 6 month extension as a lame duck that it is.
Indian delegation forcing Girija and other leaders to talk with madhesi parties.
Food Diplomacy: Girija, Nepal or Prachanda, who will take the lead?
TGW
The CPN-UML General Secretary, Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal is throwing a lavish reception cum dinner in the honor of visiting delegation of India’s ruling party the Congress-I led by Digvijaya Singh, the party general secretary and a leader close to the party boss, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.
Reports say that Mr. Nepal had sent a SMS to an Indian leader forwarding the invitation.
Comrade Prachanda too will be organizing a luncheon honoring the Indian delegates.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad has also invited the delegation for a dinner on behalf of the government of Nepal.
The delegation comprising of Digvijaya Singh, Veerappa Moily, Minister Shakeel Ahmed and Lok Sabha MP Jatin Prasad will be holding talks with India elevated Nepal’s Prime Minister Girija Babu, Madhav Nepal- UML general secretary, Prachanda-Maoists chairman and with some disgruntled Madhesi leaders.
To add, reports say that Comrade Prachanda has expressed his keen desire to the Indian embassy in Nepal to manage a Bharat pilgrimage ahead of the CA election.
It is said that the Indian delegation is arriving Nepal at the Invitation of Nepal’s Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala
Anonymous,
You would also like to know that the head of this Congress I delegation is Karan Singh's nephew. Also, this delegation will be meeting with King Gyanendra.
These are news items that probably won't be in the cock eyed Nepali press.
But there is no news about it. It has also been heard that there is going to be political turmoil after their visit. But what is that no body knows.
Kathmandu, February 12: Amid growing criticism that India’s Nepal policy has failed, a high-level delegation of the Indian National Congress — the first of its kind — is here on a three-day visit to assess if India can help Nepal in holding election to the Constituent Assembly, slated in April. The four-member delegation, led by AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, comprises former Karnataka CM Veerappa Moily, Dr Shakeel Ahmad and Jitin Prasad.
The delegation has landed here at a time when a powerful pro-democracy lobby in Nepal has come out openly against — what they call — ‘total surrender of the government to the Maoists’ in deciding every major political issue in the country. This has been endorsed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader, L K Advani, who has recently said that declaring Nepal a republic and secular state from its earlier status of a Hindu kingdom does not reflect popular will of the people and it was done under the dictate of the Maoists. The BJP has termed the Indian Government’s Nepal policy as ‘outsourced’ from the CPI (M).
Anonymous 11:44,
Please use a "name" so we can communicate better.
In response, I would say that they don't you what they don't want you to know. But ask yourself, why have they told you that they ARE NOT HERE TO SAVE THE KING? Was that necessary?
Now, put the pieces together... politicains are animals that are world famous for doing the opposite of what they say. A politicican that does what he says is never successful in politics.
What do you think?
The worst politician like Girija is leading the nation that is why we are facing the hardship day by day ; his backgrounds potray itself.
1. he is involved in fake currency
2. he is involved in hijack with the help of RAW
3. he is doing all the works with the guidance and financial support of the RAW
4. he doesnot know he is being used as Lendup of Sikkim.
5. he is nothing but democratic dictator not only for this nation but also for his own party.
6.he is consider as hawaldar by his own party that is why he had been choosen by maoist to exploit him.....bla..bla..bla
So I don't expect anything better with him and his goons who are more concerned with the vested interest only rather than people and the country.
Our coming generation will ask us "where were you when Nepal was in disaster?"
Now what Cambodian and Afghani peoples are asking to their remaining parents and grand parents....
Maoist are planning to capture the rule if CA election will not be held on time or if they loose the CA election ? In response Madhesi forum also said "they will capture terai if maoist try to capture the Singha Durbar" The political trend is heading toward negative direction and we are just siiting in the house even showing less interest toward politics.
Better believe it- this nation which we hold dear is being gauzed and gored by this SPAM- a tongue loose and harebrained groupies that kow tow to everyone if they can continue their work of destruction with abandon to serve their foreign masters. I say rise up you all patriots.
Cannot afford rice, no petrol, no gas- its about time we decide that we cannot afford or give time to SPAM.
Listen- its not too late
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