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The CPN (Maoist Center) has decided to field its candidates for the by-elections scheduled to be held on April 27.

An office-bearers’ meeting held on Wednesday decided to nominate candidates for the by-polls in Ilam-2 and Bajhang Province Assembly (1).

The Maoist Center, however, has not finalized the names of the candidates.

Similarly, the CPN (Unified Socialist) has also decided to contest the by-elections in Ilam-2 and Bajhang.

A meeting held this morning decided to field the party candidates in both the places.

The CPN-UML has decided to field Suhang Nembang in Ilam-2 and Daman Bhandari in Bajhang Province Assembly (1).

Pankaj Saran is a former diplomat with 40 years of experience in foreign, strategic and national security affairs. He has served in key positions within the Government of India in the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Council Secretariat, and Ministry of External Affairs and in several Indian missions abroad. 

He has served as India’s Ambassador to Russia and India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, and as head of the Northern Division in the Ministry of External Affairs dealing with Nepal and Bhutan.  Saran is presently convenor of NatStrat, a Delhi-based independent Centre for Research on Strategic and Security Issues. He is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board and a Distinguished Fellow of the National Maritime Foundation. 

He is a regular commentator and writer on foreign affairs, security and strategic issues. Kamal Dev Bhattarai talked with him about the changing geopolitical situation in South Asia and its implications for Nepal. 

How do you see the changing geopolitical scenario in South Asia?

The rise of India is the most dominant feature of South Asia over the past few years. This is important because India is geographically the largest country in South Asia. It is the largest country in the world in terms of population. So what happens inside India is a matter of interest not just to the world but also to the smaller countries of South Asia. This is the first trend I have observed over the past few years. Second is there is a growing integration between the South Asian countries which is a very healthy trend. With the exception of Pakistan and Afghanistan, all other regions are today well-connected both at the government level and individual level, societal and economic levels. Third is we are finding greater interests in extra-regional powers. For example, China, the United States and to some extent Europe and Japan are showing more interest in the matters of South Asia. In a nutshell, South Asia has become more important in the global landscape than it was before.

How does India view the growing interests of extra-regional power in South Asia, mainly the US?

In South Asia, every country is a sovereign country, so they have the right to decide their respective foreign policy. Every country has the freedom to decide what kind of freedom they have with other countries. For India, it cannot comment on what kind of foreign policy any country can pursue. What India on its part is trying to do is to create an atmosphere in the region which helps the countries to develop and achieve their aspirations whether their developmental aspirations or economic aspirations or political aspirations. Its ‘neighborhood first policy’ has various dimensions such as increasing connectivity, building institutional mechanisms which will last and bind the countries which is an ongoing process. 

Sometimes, it happens at a fast pace, sometimes it happens at a slow pace, and sometimes there are obstacles. Like other regions, South Asia is affected by Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine war. India is trying to help the smaller countries in this region. We believe that South Asia always remains an area which does not witness geopolitical competition. Because the priorities of the region are clearly oriented to economic and development issues. From an Indian perspective, it is better not to involve this region in the geopolitical competition and contestation in the world. We have already suffered during the cold war and it was of no benefit to this region. We do not want to go back to those days. Countries of the Global South have different priorities. 

Having relationships and cooperation with other countries with global and major power is legitimate. But we should not allow global major powers to exploit the vulnerabilities of small countries or Global South to create a difficult situation for them. The cooperation is natural but it should not translate into creating problems or forcing or using smaller countries by using their vulnerabilities to create problems for other countries either inside the reason and in the world. We have to find a new system or method in conducting international politics which does not increase tensions but it contributes to a greater atmosphere of peace and stability. Competition is fine. 

The United States is competing with China which is declared policy of both countries, it is not a secret. The question is whether this competition translates into conflict. This is a question that we have to ask ourselves. We do not like to be stuck in such a situation.

India is projecting itself as a leader of the Global South. How can the countries of this region benefit from it?  

From the G20 Summit, what India realized is that the global narrative was completely dominated by Europe and by what happened in Ukraine. The result was the problem of day-to-day management of economic development and not finding any reflection in the mass media. Among the global elites, India was able to sense the mood of the South and it held two summits: one before the G20 Summit and another after that to provide them a platform to share each other’s problems and concerns. And it was a great success. 

When it comes to Nepal, what India is focusing on is the practical implementation of policies toward Nepal. There are many aspects of activities between Nepal and India whether it is trade, economic cooperation or cultural or any aspects, and for me these cooperation are very important. India is providing help to Nepal in those areas where Nepal needs such help and it is understanding Nepal’s concerns and aspirations.

And for me these are core issues of bilateral relationship. Maintaining a close communication with Nepal at all levels is critical. If India’s growth can help Nepal to achieve its own national ambitions that will be a good situation. That is the constant efforts that you carry Nepal along to help and enable Nepal to take benefit from India’s growth. It is a reality that India is the fastest growing economy in the world and today its growth rate is higher than China. When India itself is changing so fast that gives opportunity to its immediate neighbors. There is an open border between two countries, there is free movement of the people so there are huge opportunities for Nepal.

But it seems that it is not happening, what are the bottlenecks?

I think it is happening. What we should think and try is to move beyond government. Governments have the role to play and they are playing their role in all that is going on. But there is much more in the relationship than the government.  Both societies have a deep stake in each other’s success and welfare. Every section of the society has a role to play and we should not leave this relationship only to the government. It is too important and too complicated to say that only the government can handle all the problems. 

The governments can provide a pathway, it can provide a broad ecosystem, it can provide atmosphere, and framework but other sections of society should play a vital role. Nepal is in need of employment and more investment which is a primary goal of the Nepal government. We have to see in what way India can help Nepal. One is obviously financial assistance, line of credits and development cooperation but there is more than that. I can see the huge potential of tourism. The Indian middle-class is growing fast and they are looking for a destination. Nepal should see India as a strategic depth. The good news is that India is doing well and Nepal has an opportunity and you should exploit it.

How does India view China’s growing concerns in Nepal?

What Nepal does with China and how it conducts its relationship is a matter for the Nepalese government to decide on which India cannot say anything. But, what I also say is that no relationship whether it is between Nepal and China or between India and any other countries should be constructed or developed in a way that harms the interests of someone else’ interests. This is a basic principle of international relationship. 

All countries are equal, equally sovereign and they have the right to conduct relationships but those relationships should not be at the expense of someone else's interests or no relationship should adversely affect the security interest of some other countries. Geography is a reality. Geography dictates the certain natural relationship and we should respect what nature has given to us—how geography has bound Nepal and India together. 

There is a certain affinity between two countries which will remain for the long run and no one can change it. You cannot artificially change the reality of geography and culture. You do not want any territory or country that is used for any activities that hurts some other country’s national security interests. No one would like it neither Nepal nor India and even for China any actions to be taken by any countries which it feels hurts its national security interests. This is a very natural and logical reaction. The fact is that India’s relationship today with China is in a difficult position. We are hopeful that we can persuade the Chinese to look at India differently to address India’s core concerns. But having said that we also trade with China, we have investment, so it is a complicated relationship. Everyone in India looks at Nepal through Indian eyes.

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held a meeting on Tuesday night.

Congress President Deuba had reached the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar at 9:45 pm to hold a discussion with Dahal.

According to a Baluwatar source, Dahal and Deuba held a meeting for almost one hour.

“Deuba had come to meet the Prime Minister at 9:45 pm. During the meeting, they discussed TRC Bill and by-elections to be held on April 27 among other contemporary political issues,” the source said.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, National Assembly Parliamentary Party leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Prime Minister Dahal held a meeting.

After that, President Deuba along with other party leaders went to Baluwatar to meet Dahal.

On the occasion, Deuba expressed his dissatisfaction saying that he changed the alliance by not holding a serious discussion internally.

Dahal and Deuba held a meeting for the first time after the formation of a new coalition. Their meeting has been seen as meaningful.

The by-polls are being held in Ilam-2 and Bajhang Province Assembly-1 on April 27.

The CPN-UML has already made a decision to field Suhang Nembang in Ilam-2 and Damang Bhandari in Bajhang Province Assembly-1.

Other parties have not finalized the candidates for the by-elections yet.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted light rain along with lightning for the next three days in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

According to the Division, there is a possibility of light rainfall in the hilly areas of the far-western and mid-western regions from today.

Meteorologist Saroj Pudasaini said there is a possibility of rain in the hilly regions of different provinces and snowfall in the high hills and mountainous areas.

"There is an influence of westerly wind and local wind in Nepal now and it is still partly cloudy in the hilly parts of the country including Koshi Province," he said, adding, "Although there was rain in the eastern part of the country earlier, there was no rain in the western region."

According to the Division, light rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of the hilly region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of the Madhes Province and the rest of the hilly regions in the next 24 hours.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who is on an official visit to China, held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday.

During the meeting, both the leaders assessed the state of bilateral relations and expressed commitment to work together to further elevate the ties between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The two leaders also emphasized on swift implementation of projects.

The Shree Airlines has brought two more 80-seater aircrafts.

The private sector airlines company has brought the 'Dash 8' planes manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC).

The call sign of the two aircrafts that landed in Kathmandu today is 9N-AOK and 9N-AOL, said Anil Mananadhar, the institutional manager of Shree Airlines.

It is said that these aircrafts were operated by Horizon Air and Alaska Air based in America before this.

Manandhar said both the planes will be employed for commercial flights soon after completing the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)-required process.

With the new addition, Shree Airlines now has a fleet of 10 aircrafts. It also has eight helicopters in operation.

Shree Airlines started operating regular flights to various destinations in Nepal in 2017, using the two 50-seater CRJ 200 aircraft and two 70-seater RJ 700 jet planes.

The airline company that brought additional two 80-seater aircrafts in 2019 and again in 2022 has been expanding its flight destinations.

The UNESCO Nepal National Commission Secretariat has called for nominations for the 'UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education' for the year of 2024.

The prize will be conferred by UNESCO Paris.

The prize carries a purse of US dollar 50,000 (approximately Rs 6.6 million).  The Government of Nepal has been requested to make nominations for the award.

According to the Secretariat, the deadline for submitting the application is April 16. The nominations should include people or institutions making outstanding efforts in favor of women and girls' education.

The Secretariat is authorized for shortlisting the nominations and the UNESCO world-level jury is final authority for announcing the award.  

Nepal defeated Ireland ‘A’ by 71 runs in the second T20 match held at the Tribhuvan International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday.

Chasing the target of 199 runs set by Nepal, Ireland ‘A’ were bowled out in 18. 3 overs.

Kushal Malla and Sompal Kami took three wickets each for Nepal and Karan KC, Kushal Bhurtel and Bibek Yadav claimed one wicket each.

Stephen Doheny scored highest 26 runs for Ireland. Other players could not play well.

Nepal scored 198 runs in 20 overs losing seven wickets.

Gulshan Jha scored highest 46 runs for Nepal. Similarly, Kushal Malla made 34 runs and captain Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel and Anil Shah contributed 12 runs respectively.

Likewise, Asif Sheikh scored 11 runs and Sandeep Jora made 21 runs.

In the match held on Monday, Nepal won by six wickets.