What the US is trying to do through MCC (3)

| 2020 Jul 12 | 10:53 am 1341

Basanta Bhujel
It was hardly expected that such days would come in Nepal. Indian news channels have been shut down in Nepal since last Thursday. Due to the exaggerated news content about Nepal, there was a public demand to stop the broadcasting of Indian news channels. Gagan Thapa, a young leader of the main opposition party, pressured the government to shut down Indian television channels. In a sense, the people have welcomed this step taken in the national consensus between the parties.

One day, one had to listen to Lukiluki BBC and All India Radio to know the true news of one’s own country. Indian newspapers had to be brought to Nepal secretly. The government had imposed unannounced restrictions on foreign media during the Rana and Panchayat periods, believing that the people would seek democracy if they knew about the outside world. At that time, there was conflict between the government and the people. At this time, the people got the opportunity to form their own government. The government has been forced to bow to the people’s pressure as the right to form and overthrow the government is in the hands of the people.

Overall, banning local or foreign media is by no means a good thing. Neighboring India is one of the largest democracies in the world. Since independence, India has not had a single democracy. The Indian media, which is well versed in democratic practice, should have set an example in itself. However, a small good neighbor like Nepal was mined by spreading propaganda. It is not uncommon for Nepal, a country with a democratic system of governance, to shut down news channels in countries with a democratic system, but for Chinese channels in the practice of communist rule to be able to open smoothly. In the case of the media, India has ridiculed democracy.

Isn’t the fact that Nepal is falling into the Chinese trap day by day a sign that the MCC bill has been confused due to the decision of the ruling Communist Party and the relations with the United States have been strained and the media of neighboring India has also been banned? The question has been raised. Of course, China is also a very good neighbor of Nepal. Nepal has no border dispute with China. There is no dispute over any issue except border. Nepal has also been receiving reasonable assistance from China. Important roads including Kathmandu-Pokhara, Pokhara-Baglung, Kathmandu-Kodari, Gorkha-Narayangadh, Ring Road of the capital Kathmandu have been constructed with the help of China. Chinese assistance continues to build many other roads. Under construction, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini and Pokhara International Airport also have significant Chinese assistance. Apart from this, Kathmandu-Bhaktapur Trolleybus Service, Gaindakot Paper Factory and some other industries and factories were also built by China. Our weakness is not being able to protect them. Similarly, Chinese assistance has been pledged for the construction of tunnels and railways from Kerung to Kathmandu.

China is a country that can build the entire infrastructure of Nepal’s economic development if it wants. However, his main concern and condition is that Nepal’s relations with the United States do not move forward. This is obviously the main reason why the MCC project has fallen into disrepair. Is it fair to depend on one country or another? The question is important. A few days ago, the president of Tibet’s elected government said in an interview with the international media: While the Chinese army was building the road, our capital reached Lhasa. We didn’t care about the millions of Chinese troops, we didn’t even get a chance to appeal to the international community. By the time we found out what happens to the state of nationality when we have relations with only one country, we had lost the opportunity to improve.

Until China took over Tibet, Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal were almost dependent on India. Just as Tibet did not cooperate with countries other than China. He thought that China was enough for him. Similarly, Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal are enough for India. He was confident that India would provide security if necessary. When China took over Tibet, Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal also became aware. By then, however, it was too late in Sikkim and Bhutan. Sikkim lost its sovereignty and so did Tibet. Bhutan also became a semi-colonial country of India. At the same time, Nepal was overshadowed by a visionary politician like BP Koirala. Got an experienced king like Mahendra. In fact, the visionary work of bringing the United States into Nepal, which has relations only with India, Britain and China, has been possible under the able leadership of BP Koirala. BP Koirala’s view that China or India cannot look down on Nepal when Nepal can maintain good relations with the United States is still relevant. Against the backdrop of the agreement reached between China and India to open the border crossing from Lipulekha to Nepali land, to seek an excuse from the United States is to create danger. Such a foolish act is not called nationalism.

Foreign policy should be made only on the ground of reality. Our reality is that Nepal cannot cover the salary allowance of its employees with its income. Foreign assistance is indispensable for building infrastructure for development. But should foreign aid be taken only with a certain country? Adopt diversity? The main question is. There is a Chinese proverb – ‘Don’t put all the eggs in the same basket.’ This proverb is even more contemporary in the context of Nepal. It is less risky to take a little help from many countries than to take a lot from one country. The only country that has the experience and expertise is to seek help. For example, Britain was once an expert in agriculture. At the moment, Israel is an expert. The United States is an expert in water resources. China, Japan and South Korea specialize in the construction of tunnels and highways. India is an expert in Nepal’s geography, climate and biodiversity. But chasing the US with the mentality that all aid comes only from China. If no initiative is taken to improve the strained relations with India, Nepal may have to face the situation of Tibet and Sikkim tomorrow.

(Bhujel Gorkha is a retired engineer in the British Army)

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