1
Contemporary Developments in Contemporary Developments in Nepal & Options for IndiaNepal & Options for India
Dr. Rahul Tripathi & Joel D’SilvaDr. Rahul Tripathi & Joel D’Silva
South Asia Together – ICG, Goa. South Asia Together – ICG, Goa.
2
Structure of the Presentation
Nepal – Brief Historical Background.
Democratic experience and Maoist resurgence.
Build up to the recent crisis.
India’s dilemmas and options.
Challenges ahead
3
NepalBrief Historical Background
Evolution of Monarchy
The Rana Regime (1846-1952)
Panchayat Democracy (1960-1990)
Return to parliamentary democracy (1990-2005)
4
Prithvi Narayan Shah
ShumsherJung Bahadur Rana
Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev
5
Nature of Nepalese Society
Predominantly Hindu (90%)
Major ethnic groupsa. Tibeto-Burman migrants (hills & mountains)b. Indo-Aryans (plains, Terai )c. Newari (original people –
Katmandu Valley)
Prevalence of Indo-Aryan caste hierarchy
6
Nature of Nepalese Economy
Among the poorest & least developed countries
Agriculture provides 80% of employment & 41% of GDP
Unemployment 50% approx.
Economic growth – 0.8% (1960-1990) and 2.1% (1990-2003)
7
Democratic Experience & Maoist Resurgence Turbulent parliamentary
Democracy in 1990’s. Emergence of Maoists in mid-
90’s. 40 point demand on
Nationalism (9), People’s democracy (17) & Livelihood (14).
Armed struggle
8
Girija Prasad Koirala Prachanda Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
The Maoists
9
Spread of Maoism
Nepal (1990’s)
Nepal (2006)
10
Build up to the recent crisis The crisis of Monarchy
a. The Palace massacre (2001) b. The ‘activist’ & ‘unpopular’ monarch. c. Clamp down on freedoms
Dismissal of the Government & proclamation of emergency
7 party alliance (SPA) & Public protests
Restoration of Parliament
11
Prince Paras King Gyanendra Bir
Bikram Shah Dev Violent Protests
12
India’s Dilemmas and Options
Nepal's special status with India The ‘Ugly’ Indian The ‘Indispensable’ Indian India’s response
a. From ‘twin pillar theory’ to ‘people’s will’.
b. Maoist concern
13
Dr. Karan SinghShyam Saran
PM Manmohan Singh
14
Challenges Ahead
Political parties – consensus building
Maoists – Joining the mainstream?
King – ‘Uncertain Future’
India – ‘Ever Balancer’
15
Picture Sources:
National Geographic
Outlook Magazine
Wikipedia
Top Related