Paul Staniland: The US wants a growing, democratic Nepal
Paul Staniland is a professor of political science at the University of Chicago. He is non-resident scholar, South Asia Program Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Kamal Dev Bhattarai of ApEx talked with him about US South Asia policy, particularly focusing on Nepal.
How do you see the broader US South Asia policy?
The US is aiming to align with India, reduce or manage Chinese influence in the smaller states of South Asia, and access the rapidly growing markets in the region. It keeps an eye on Pakistan, which is a source of concern regarding potential escalation from tensions with India and terrorism, but has clearly downgraded that relationship compared to the post-9/11 period.
It has been two years since the Joe Biden administration came up with the Indo-Pacific Strategy, how is it playing out in South Asia?
The Indo-Pacific Strategy seems to have been reasonably well-received in India as a signal of US commitment to competing in Asia. It's less popular and desirable in other states in the region, which are quite worried about getting sucked into US-China rivalry and have interests that often do not tightly align with that competition.
What are the key US interests in South Asia?
As noted above, the US wants to keep China out, work with India, and have access to markets in the region.
How does the US see China’s growing interests in this region?
Chinese influence is certainly an area of concern as it is seen as rapidly expanding and increasingly able to deploy massive resources, though my sense is that there may be a growing recognition that it has been very difficult for China to convert its economic power into enduring political influence. The CPEC in Pakistan has not been especially successful, BRI is often contested in ‘host’ countries (like Nepal), and Sri Lanka’s economic crisis was not prevented or solved by Chinese involvement.
What are the latest trends in US-Nepal relations?
The US is definitely interested in Nepal as a case where it can provide economic and governance benefits in the context of growing Chinese influence. That said, I don’t think the US public or most of its policy community think about Nepal a lot as a major site of strategic competition—there has been an American presence since the 1950s, so it’s not wholly new. Nevertheless, there is a growing interest and some learning about how to best approach Nepal; for instance, it’s been noticeable that the US has tempered the use of Indo-Pacific Strategy framing around Nepal and is ideally hoping to provide opportunities that complement, rather than necessarily direct take on or denounce, Chinese efforts.
What are key US interests in Nepal?
The US wants a growing, democratic Nepal that is on reasonably cordial terms with the US and India.
What do the people want?
The current political landscape presents myriad challenges and complexities. Each day, scores of young individuals depart the country in pursuit of employment and education opportunities elsewhere. There is widespread discontent with the prevailing socio-economic conditions and governance. Citizens grapple with soaring market prices, unemployment, shortages of essential goods, and enduring issues of governance inefficiency. They encounter bribery and favoritism as pervasive barriers to accessing basic services across government offices, corporations, and banks. This pervasive corruption fosters dissatisfaction, discontent, and resentment towards the government and political parties.
In light of these challenges, the fundamental question arises: What is the path forward? What do citizens seek, and how can their needs be addressed? Primarily, people yearn for effective governance, characterized by the eradication of corruption, accountability for wrongdoers, streamlined service provision devoid of bribery, domestic employment opportunities, and accessible quality education. These aspirations form the bedrock of public expectations, yet realizing them poses a significant challenge.
On corruption and good governance
To control, minimize, and abolish the corruption in the country, the government needs the political willpower. And the parties' leadership. The govt., parties, and bureaucratic leadership must be seen as clean and bold to fight against the menace of corruption. No tickets to corrupt leaders or cadres in the election and no party promotion: This principle must be applied. The corrupt people must be filtered from below.
In Nepal, civil servants are divided along the party lines and are doing pure politics with the State’s salary. It is objectionable and inappropriate. It must be stopped. We do not find such a situation anywhere in the world. The political parties must review it and find a national consensus on it.
On CIAA
Though there are a lot of limitations and constraints, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is doing well in controlling corruption in the country. However, there is a need to bring some concrete reform and change. This institution must be free from political intervention, and there is a need to restructure the composition and bring change in the selection process of commissioners. Only then will the work of this Institution be effective and result-oriented.
On CIB and other investigating agencies
Our police investigating agencies are very skilled, effective, and performance-oriented in South Asia. The work of these agencies is highly appreciated and recognized by the regional and international police investigating agencies. The Nepali people also have a positive impression of it. However, there are always setbacks when political interventions are made. Political intervention is always made ineffective and resultless to the work performed by the agencies. So, there must be no political intervention in the crime investigation process to control corruption and punish the culprits.
On service delivery
The general people are indifferent to party politics and pay attention to their daily needs and concerns. They are susceptible to and care about service delivery issues. They always compare the Panchayat system with the multiparty and present Federal Democratic Republican system. They say that they do not find new and optimistic scenarios at present. Their impression of service delivery is even worse in the present situation. They say that without bribery or approach or caste, linguistic, and regional relations, receiving service is almost impossible anywhere in government or semi-government offices. Scenarios are the same in banks (basically for getting loans) and other corporation offices. So, what should the government do here?
The government must send concrete, clear, and circular solid notices to all service delivery offices to perform their duties promptly and adequately without delay, bribes, and approach. Otherwise, it should be punished. The home ministry, related ministries, and the prime minister’s office should be vigilant and alert so that the people can realize and see the positive change in service delivery.
On unemployment
The government should have a clear-cut vision of employment generation. Employment can be generated through State, semi-state, private, and FDI sectors. There should be an investment-friendly environment in the country. All legal, political, administrative, technical, and practical barriers should be removed in a basket decision as soon as possible. Those who are obstacles in this process should be punished. All economic activities, whether big or small, should be encouraged.
On education
Education and health have a massive potential in our country. We can make it a hub in South Asia. Our national and foreign investors are eager to invest in this area. Nepali parents are very supportive and cooperative in providing their children a quality education in Nepal. They are heartily spending money on it. The Indians have money and they are eager to send their children to Nepal for quality and cheap education. They also like Nepali weather very much. So, we have the service seeker as well as the investors too.
The only thing is the government should be supportive. We should have an apparent education policy and program and a very supportive policy and attitude for the investors.
In conclusion, meeting the aspirations of the populace necessitates a concerted effort to combat corruption, enhance service delivery, generate employment, and improve education accessibility. Collaboration between government, political parties, and citizens is essential in realizing these goals and building a more prosperous and equitable society. Through sustained dedication and collaborative action, tangible progress can be achieved towards creating a brighter future for all.
INC pledges to re-establish special ties with Nepal
The Indian National Congress (INC) has outlined its commitment to prioritize relations with neighboring countries, including Nepal, in its election manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
“We will re-establish the primacy of our special relationship with Nepal and Bhutan and strengthen them to our mutual benefits,” the manifesto states.
Furthermore, the INC manifesto pledges to enhance economic and cultural ties with Bangladesh, as well as address political issues in Sri Lanka, particularly concerning the Tamil community. Additionally, it aims to mend relations with the Maldives and support Myanmar in protecting the political and human rights of its people.
The party also emphasizes bolstering India’s role in multilateral institutions, collaborating with other Global South countries on key issues, and advocating for reforms to address transnational challenges.
Asserting a commitment to continuity in India’s foreign policy, the manifesto underscores the influence of historical figures like Jawaharlal Nehru.
“Congress affirms and will uphold continuity of India’s foreign policy. Our approach was profoundly shaped by the freedom movement and developed through the wisdom of visionary leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru,” the INC says in its manifesto.
The party has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance (BJP/NDA) government for deviating from this consensus, particularly regarding the Gaza conflict, and pledged to restore India’s reputation as a proponent of peace and moderation on the global stage.
Virtual book clubs that you can join
Those who love reading know there are only a few things that are better than reading a good book. One of them is discussing a book you’ve read and loved with other readers. In Nepal, except for a few Instagram pages and corporate book clubs, there aren’t many groups where we can discuss our favorite titles, recent reads, and other bookish things.
Reading doesn’t have to be an isolated affair if you can connect with others who share your love of authors and characters. While physical meet-ups, with steaming cups of tea or coffee and generous slices of cake, might be an ideal way to talk about the book you’re reading, online book clubs can cross international barriers and connect you with readers and authors from across the globe.
Here are five of our favorite book clubs where you can get some really good book recommendations, connect with other like-minded readers, and discuss your thoughts and opinions on everything related to books and reading.
Reese’s Book Club
Reese Witherspoon, an American actor and film producer, runs an online book club called the Reese’s Book Club. It has over two million followers on Instagram. Every month, she chooses two fun and thought-provoking books with female leads, one for adults and one for YA readers. You can then read along with Reese and others by following the online book club on Instagram and Facebook. There’s also an app and you can subscribe to the newsletter for some upbeat content in your inbox. Reese has also adapted some of her book club picks into movies, notably ‘Wild’, ‘Big Little Lies’, and ‘Little Fires Everywhere’.
Our Shared Shelf
Founded by Emma Watson in 2016, this Instagram community is focused on intersectional feminist literature. During the initial days, Emma selected a book with feminist themes every two months. Emma stepped back from the group in 2020, requesting its Facebook and GoodReads community members to continue sharing recommendations. The hashtag #oursharedshelf is going strong for like-minded and lively discussions. Some books on this list will make you smile and some will make you cry. But what’s for sure is that they will all inspire you and encourage you to be the best version of yourself.
Sonali’s Book Club
On her book club’s website, Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre Behl says she has always been passionate about reading but juggling motherhood and her career made it difficult to read as much as she would like. So, she started Sonali’s Book Club as a means to interact with book lovers from across the globe. It was a way to ensure she got her reading life back on track as she would have to compulsorily read at least one book every month. Every month, she picks a book for the members of the book club to read and sets a date to discuss any thoughts and questions that they might have. The discussion happens via Facebook Live or a textual discussion online on the Sonali’s Book Club Facebook group.
Oprah’s Book Club
Oprah Winfrey’s book club is arguably America’s most influential literary hit-maker, turning unknown titles into massive bestsellers. Every book Oprah picks for her club becomes an instant bestseller. The Instagram page of the book club is a virtual delight. You will find yourself scrolling through it for hours on end since it has over 2100 posts to date. The books she tends to pick are usually thick volumes so make sure you have the time and patience for such long reads before getting into them. The book club picks have over 100 titles—both fiction and non-fiction. Visit OprahDaily.com for book-related articles and many author interviews. You can also sign up for a book club newsletter to get a complete experience.
Belletrist
Belletrist, co-founded by actresses Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, is an online reading community dedicated to books and reading. Each month, the book club selects a book and hosts discussions about it. There are often author interviews too. This allows readers to get an insight into the workings of the author’s mind while writing the book. Since its launch in 2017, the community has chosen over 75 titles, and the books are discussed on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
