Kathmandu, May 15
Nepal’s former ambassador to India, Professor Lok Raj Baral, said on Sunday that Indian intervention in Nepal will only increase if unrest continues in the Madhesh. Baral noted that Indian interference in Nepal’s internal affairs has been continuing for long.
Speaking at a face-to-face that Reporters’ Club had organised, Baral claimed that India’s interest in Madhesh is ‘natural’ as disturbances in Madhesh affect it as well.
Increased disturbances in the Madhesh can invite increased Indian intervention, he said. Mere speeches and nationalistic rhetoric cannot normalise Nepal-India relations, he said.
Baral said Nepal should try to resolve this (difficult political situation) through peaceful diplomacy. He said problems like this will not recur if Nepal manages to solve internal problems on its own.
Commenting on the KP Oli government’s decision to recall Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Dip Kumar Upadhyaya, he said this is the outcome of political instability in Nepal.
“In Nepal, China does not want activities that create troubles in Tibet. India also does not want China and other forces to step up their activities. If Chinese influence increases in Nepal, India, America and European Union will also step up their activities,” he said, adding: So, increase in Chinese influence in Nepal is not in our national interest.
