Constitutional Crisis in Nepal and India’s Stand
India urged Nepal during constitutional formation, to try for ‘broad consensus’ during the implementation process of its Constitution which has been the cause of bilateral tension between the two neighbours. India was seen as supporting the marginalized groups of Nepal – the Madhesis, the Tharus and the Janajatis and supporting their argument that the Constitution promulgated by the CA has failed to accommodate their long-standing demands.
Open Border
An important issue is the open border itself, which is a unique joint heritage of the two countries. While it is Nepal’s Left that has traditionally demanded restrictions on the border, the call now rises from the Indian security establishment as well.
Floods in Plain area of Nepal
The Nepal plains are suffering from massive floods that have also affected downstream areas across the border. Besides the spread of settlements, a prime cause for the severity is that the Chure (Shivalik) hills have been gouged of rocks to build elevated roads and levees just south of the border, leading to inundation in Nepal. A permanent bilateral mechanism is required to save the plains population of Nepal from suffering.
Kosi Barrage Issue
The Kosi Barrage and attendant embankments have the possibility of wreaking havoc because siltation of six decades has raised the riverbed within the levees far above the outlying tracts.Koshi bring flood in Bihar and still no solution is reached.
Arbitrary Blockages/Custom Check at Border Points
The arbitrary blockages and go-slow at Indian Customs at border points, the selective use of quarantine for the export of Nepali agricultural produce, the increasing high-handedness of the Sashastra Seema Bal of India, in dealing with Nepalis crossing over —are some of the challenges on the bilateral plane.
