Kathmandu Dilemma: Resetting India-Nepal Ties

by Ranjit Rae

'...unmatched in its meticulous and careful research into the wellsprings of a truly unique relationship between two neighbouring states.' SHYAM SARAN

'Ranjit Rae's portrayal of India-Nepal relations from the Indian perspective is meticulous, nuanced and insightful." S.D. MUNI

'Ranjit Rae breaks down the paradox of India's very intimate yet troubled relationship with Nepal.' C. RAJA MOHAN


The first two decades of the new millennium have witnessed a dramatic socio-political transformation of Nepal. A violent Maoist insurgency ended peacefully, a new constitution abolished the monarchy and established a secular federal democratic republic. Nevertheless, political stability and a peace dividend have both remained elusive. Nepal is also buffeted by changing geopolitics, including the US-China contestation for influence and the uneasy relationship between India and China.

As a close neighbour, India has been deeply associated with the seminal changes in Nepal, and the bilateral relationship has seen many twists and turns. Partly a memoir, this book examines India's perspective on these developments, in the context of the civilizational and economic underpinnings of the India-Nepal relationship, as well as issues that continue to prevent this relationship from exploiting its full potential. Though there are several Nepalese accounts that deal with this subject, there are few from an Indian point of view. Kathmandu Dilemma fills this gap.

254 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2023

Reviews

[Ian Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was really interesting getting India's perspective of Nepal. The author does a good job giving a lot of historical context into the agitations and issues that arise between the two counties on a geopolitical level.

[Akash Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ours is perhaps the most intimate hence complex relationship that exists between any two neighbouring countries. Everything that binds us - religion, culture, tradition, languages, ties of kinship - also creates tension".
- Ranjit Rae, Kathmandu Dilemma: Resetting India - Nepal Ties.

While reading this , I was reminded of something my Naani taught me in 1 of my English classes - "Familiarity breeds contempt". As I finished reading this one, I really started questioning myself as to whether how much did I actually know about Nepal before I read the book especially when I have always been under the notion that I know a lot. I have visited the nation thrice & grown up practically next to the border. Ask any Indian & majority of them will suffer from this same notion of familiarity with Nepal when in reality many of us don't even know basics about Nepal, it's culture, it's society.

Let me resort to two instances to prove this. A whoopingly large majority of us, including myself have always believed that Nepal had always been a Hindu Rashtra before the advent of Democracy in 2005. However, what we don't know is that it had officialy become a Hindu Rashtra only in 1962. Most of have no clue that the Pagoda style of architecture that we belive is from Korea, Japan or China etc. is in fact Nepal's gift to the world.

But why is it important to know about Nepal? As already emphasised by the author, we honestly do not share a relationship like the one we do with Nepal with any other nation in the world. No nation is as culturally linked to Bharat as Nepal is. But between all this we must never forget that Nepal has it own culture, independent of India which has to be given the respect it deserves and hence it's important to know about Nepal. It always fascinates me that an average Indian (including myself) knows so much about Europe or America but so little about our own neighbours.

Highly suggest reading this one to understand how our relations with Nepal have changed over the years & most importantly what India should do to maintain these delicate yet deep ties we have with Nepal so that we don't loose an ancient friend to the Dragon's predatory practises.

[Siddharrth Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nepal has always been an important neighbor cum ally for India, although internationally or perhaps within South-Asia, due importance hasn’t been given to this friendship.

Unlike of course for Pakistan towards the West, Nepal and Bangladesh are India’s two key neighbouring partners in the East. Although and understandably, every partnership has come with its own share of bitter-sweet experience.

India is a matured democracy and it is imperative on us to tread on this path with utmost caution and care, to avoid any added conflict with the Red Dragon in China. India must re-look its positioning of a ‘Big Brother’ to a softer approach and continue to extend its arm to our Nepalese brethren, as and when the situation demands.

After all, Nepal has given us from Lord Buddha to your home-maids and drivers. Enjoy the spectrum! 📚🇳🇵

[Maulik Maharjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranjit Rae has written the book based on dilemma that Nepali contemporary politics faces today sandwiched between two great economic nations: India and China.
The writer, former ambassador to Nepal has highlighted the relationship of Nepal and India over the following major headings: Historical treaties, economic partnership, civilization connection and growing influence of China over Nepal's internal politics.
The book is written from the perspective of Indian view on to Nepal but the quality of research and writing that the writer has done cannot be questioned.

[Laxmi]

A well-researched book makes for an interesting read.

[Suman Dhamala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very biased