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Dr Nihar R Nayak is a Research Fellow with Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. His areas of expertise include political transitions in the eastern Himalayan region, non-traditional security, soft power diplomacy, left-wing extremism, and cooperative security in South Asia. Dr Nayak closely follows Nepal-India relations. Kamal Dev Bhattarai recently talked to Dr Nayak to gain insights into the current state of bilateral relations. Excerpts:

How do you assess the current state of Nepal-India relations?

Comparing it to the period of 2015-2016, there has been significant improvement in bilateral relations. Misunderstandings have substantially decreased, and bilateral mechanisms are functioning on schedule. Regular high-level political visits indicate that the bilateral relationship is in good shape. There has been good progress in energy cooperation with India addressing some concerns. While the overall relationship is in good shape, it remains complex, with certain pending issues yet to be addressed.

What are the pending issues that you are referring to?

The Nepali side has long been urging the update of the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty which is a major issue. Another issue is the submission of the EPG report, and border demarcation and map issues are also unresolved. The Boundary Working Group is yet to submit its report despite holding some meetings. The map row is yet to be resolved. A mechanism led by foreign secretaries was set up in 2014 to resolve border issues. But no dialogue has been taken so far under this format. There also are other issues such as air routes and trade and transit matters.

How do you view Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s relationship with New Delhi?

The current coalition aligns with India’s interests in the Himalayan region. India's experience with the previous government was not very comfortable as there were many misunderstandings with the CPN-UML-led government in Kathmandu. A non-controversial and friendly government in Kathmandu, like the current Maoist and NC coalition, somehow suits India's interests at this moment.

As a scholar, how do you see Dahal’s relationship with Beijing?

Regardless of who is the prime minister, Nepal must maintain a balanced relationship with Beijing and New Delhi. The foreign policy from King Mahendra's era in the 1960s is still continuing in Nepal. I do not see any deviation in that policy. India will engage with whoever comes to Baluwatar. Undertaking a bilateral visit to neighboring countries is a very regular issue. While analyzing the recent visit, I do not think it was a successful visit in terms of substance. Diplomatically, there was no major success though he spent seven days in China.  Although the two sides had 13 agreements, there were no major agreements during the visits. There were no promises on BRI, no agreement on power trade, and no major understanding on infrastructure development. This suggests that Dahal is not very close to Beijing.

American assistance and engagement with Nepal has increased lately. How do you see it?

American policy in the Himalayan region seems somewhat at odds with building a strong partnership between India and the US. For example, the US has increased its annual aid to civil society in Nepal. Interestingly, the same civil society is critical of India's engagement with Kathmandu. This means, indirectly, the US funds are being utilized against India. I believe that American interests to some extent do not synchronize what India is trying to do in the region. I see there is a communication gap between the US and New Delhi in this matter.  

Acting on the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India on Thursday handed over a third tranche of over 12 tons of earthquake relief material to Nepal.

The relief materials consisting of blankets, sleeping bags, tents and essential medical supplies were brought to Nepal via a special Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 flight.

As a first responder, India has provided 33 tons of emergency relief materials for the earthquake affected families in Nepal through three special Indian Air Force flights.

The support included tents and tarpaulin sheets, blankets and sleeping bags as well as vital medicines, and medical equipment such as surgical equipment, portable ventilators as well as hygiene supplies to meet the urgent requirements of the earthquake affected families.

India’s swift response affirms its commitment to support Nepal as a close friend and neighbor.

As Nepal’s foremost development partner, India has been steadfast in its efforts to support the people of Nepal in this difficult time.

India will continue to provide support based on the priorities and guidance provided by the Government of Nepal, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

King Chares of the UK has expressed sadness over the earthquake devastation in Nepal.

The British Embassy in Nepal informed that King Charles sent a message to President Ram Chandra Paudel and expressed grief over the loss of lives and property in the Jajarkot earthquake.

"My wife and I were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life, and the damage and devastation caused by the earthquake in western Nepal on November 3," the King said.

The King further stated in the message, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Nepal at this difficult time, and we wanted to extend deepest sympathy and condolences to all the bereaved families and affected communities."

King Charles also assured the British government's readiness to support and respond to Nepal's need at this difficult moment.

An agreement has been made between Pokhara Metropolitan City and USAID for the development of tourism in Pokhara.

The agreement was reached on technical consultancy for development of tourism, agriculture and information technology in Pokhara. As per the agreement, USAID will provide technical consultancy for two years.

Pokhara Metropolitan City is facing challenges to address the problems in tourism and among related entrepreneurs, especially after the COVID-19. For addressing the problems, the USAID consultancy would extend support.

The agreement was signed by PMC Mayor Dhanraj Acharya and project chief at USAID, Agnes Luz.

Orientation, investment forum, marketing and publicity would be incorporated as part of the programs for tourism development, according to Mayor Acharya.

Chhayanath Rara Municipality of Mugu district has provided Rs 100, 000 as incentive to an inter-caste couple.

The district provided the incentive to Devi Krishna Kami (25) of Charapgoan from Chhayanath Rara-10 and of Ranjita Budha (24) of Libra from Soru Rural Municipality-4.

The 12th municipal assembly of the municipality had decided to provide monetary incentive to the inter-caste couple.

Municipality Mayor Bishnu Kumar Bham informed that they had taken the decision to provide incentive to the inter-caste couple in a bid to reduce caste discrimination.

He also suggested other local levels to follow suit.

A foreign tourist died after falling off a cliff during trekking in the mountainous region of Rasuwa district on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as 68-year-old French national Patrick Jean Marie Moul, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police, Subash Budhathoki.

Moul was severely injured while trekking at Lumthang, a way to reach Kyangjen, Gosaikunda. He had embarked on trekking via the Trinetra Trekking Agency.

The foreign trekker was rescued by the security persons mobilized at Langtang area.

Moul was rushed to Kathmandu for treatment via Fishtail helicopter but he breathed his last in the flight, according to police.

The locals here have suggested the travel and trekking companies to provide guide to the senior trekkers and tourists for their safety.

The 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Jajarkot and Rukum West last Friday has left behind a trail of death and devastation. Around 160 people have died (more than half of the dead are children), hundreds have suffered injuries, lakhs have become shelterless and lost the means of livelihood. 

In the immediate aftermath of the quake, the United Nations said in its report that around 1.3m people have been exposed to the quake, and about 0.25m may need humanitarian assistance within 72 hours of the disaster.  

After announcing the completion of search and rescue operations, the government is ‘focusing’ on the distribution of relief materials. 

But media reports from the ground are not that encouraging. This daily and a number of other media outlets have pointed out that the government has largely failed to provide for the needy in times of a crisis. 

With their possessions under the rubble, the survivors are in need of food, shelter, warm clothing and medicine. But even the tarps have become a luxury for most of the people, forcing them to live in the open without food and warm clothing in freezing temperatures. 

A report published in this daily, for example, quotes relevant officials as saying that one has to be a house-owner to get a tarp from the government. Another ApEx report states that the representatives of organizations involved in relief distribution are not bothering to visit the backwaters for relief distribution. 

What does it all mean? That the lives of those living on rent or on temporary shelters like sheds do not count? That the people hailing from remote corners are expendable? 

In the aftermath of the disaster, a series of chopper-borne high-profile visits to the affected areas have taken place like on previous such occasions, with promises of all possible help to the survivors. 

Promises aside, relief materials like food, drinking water, shelter and basic medicine are really hard to come by for most of the survivors, leave alone specialized care for the traumatized ones, including children. 

The quake and several jolts aside, the survivors have also been grappling with a cumbersome governance system that has largely failed to provide for the people in dire need. Leave alone the disasters from a distant past, government authorities do not seem to have learnt lessons even from the 2015 Gorkha earthquake that killed around 10000 people, rendered lakhs homeless and destroyed infrastructure worth billions of rupees even as a dilapidated Singhadurbar looked on. 

The government should get its acts together and rush relief to the needy, in close coordination with political parties across the aisle, defense-security agencies, donor agencies, civil society and the public to save lives.     

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has appointed Indu Barma as the new captain of the Nepal national women's cricket team.

Rubina Chhetri had been captaining the national women’s team.

Though Chhetri has been included in the team, Barma will captain the T20 series to be held in Hong Kong.

Vice-captain Bindu Rawal, Rubina Chhetri, Sita Rana Magar, Asmina Karmacharya, Kajol Shrestha, Kanchan Shrestha, Somu Bista, Puja Mahato, Roma Thapa, Sangita Rai, Khusi Dangol, Samjhana Khadka and Sonu Pakhrin are in the team.

The team will leave for Hong Kong to play the four-nation T20 series from November 15 to 19.