Nepal's predicament: Divisions or yearning for democracy? (featuring Sanjeev Ahluwalia)
Nepal, a South Asian country known for its rich culture and towering mountain peaks, is currently undergoing significant political and economic changes.
At the heart of Nepal's political landscape is a multi-party democracy, which, while congenial, can sometimes be criticised as transactional alliances for self-aggrandizement if the public interest is not served. The ultra-left Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), the left-centric CPN (Marxist-Leninist), and the centrist, social democracy-oriented Nepali Congress have all held power in brief stints over the past decade.
Recently, the trending Madhesi, 35-year-old Balendra Shah, an independent not linked to any party, has emerged as the mayor of Kathmandu. A rapper by profession and an engineer by training, Shah represents the politics of "New Nepal", focused on delivering development, rather than political survival of the "ancien regime".
The Army Chief in Nepal has been sought for political negotiations regarding the appointment of an interim Prime Minister, a role that was recently filled by Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice. However, the choice of Karki as the interim Prime Minister could blur the red line between judicial and political power.
Nepal's political landscape is also marked by the recent overthrow of the government by the Generation Z movement, a new, reform-oriented political force outside traditional parties. There are also emerging pro-monarchy voices and movements, lacking clear leadership but potentially forming new political directions beyond the old parties.
Economically, Nepal is in a relatively favourable position, with the lowest level of debt among South Asian economies and enjoying concessional lending, with the most recent support being a $500 million infrastructure development grant from the US government. Bilateral collaboration between Nepal and India can enhance the private sector's share in Nepal's non-agricultural economy.
However, Nepal faces challenges such as a high youth unemployment rate of 20%, higher than India's 12%. Despite high literacy levels among youth, enrolment in tertiary education is low, at about 14%, compared to India's 28%.
Nepal's unique geographical position provides it with access to India's fast-growing markets, and the two countries share multiple historical connections, including a pervasive faith in Hinduism common to both. India's interest lies in helping realize these democratic aspirations to ensure a progressive and resilient Nepal.
The recent civic unrest in Nepal is seen as an expression of its democratic aspirations, much like the fresh elections called by Indira Gandhi, the embattled Prime Minister of India during the Emergency, to re-establish civic trust and legitimacy.
In contrast to Nepal, India has seen a decisive defeat of its ruling party for the first time since 1947 after the elections, with the Janata Party, a coalition of Opposition groups, forming the new government and ushering in constitutional reform to prevent a similar future misuse of emergency powers.
Despite its challenges, Nepal's democratic journey, just a decade old, continues, with its constitution establishing it as an "independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular, inclusive, democratic, socialism-oriented, federal democratic republican state".
){kind=link}