Why Nepal's Diplomatic Relations Favor India Over Pakistan

Understanding the nuances of international relations is crucial, especially when examining the diplomatic landscape concerning Nepal's ties with India and Pakistan. Diplomacy, at its core, serves multiple purposes including growth, prosperity, trade, investments, education, research, and cultural exchange. While Pakistan might present a different narrative, the reality is that Nepal's diplomatic affiliations are more deeply rooted with India due to several factors including historical ties, cultural and religious similarities, and economic stability.

Factors Favoring Nepal's Relationship with India

India and Nepal share a long history that stretches back over thousands of years, which continues to influence their current political and economic relations. The two nations share the same religion (Hinduism), culture, and socio-religious values. These shared elements have fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding, which is evident in the extensive trade, education, and cultural exchanges that occur between them.

Economic Stability: Another significant factor is the economic disparity between India and Pakistan. India, with its robust economy, offers Nepal substantial opportunities for investment, trade, and economic growth. In contrast, Pakistan's economy is more struggling, limiting the potential for such beneficial relationships.

Overcoming Diplomatic Challenges

Despite the strong bonds between Nepal and India, there are instances where tensions can arise, often due to missteps by political leaders. However, the common people of Nepal have consistently rejected such actions aimed at sowing divisiveness. A notable example involves the Communist Party of Nepal's (CＰN) attempt to claim Indian territory as part of Nepal's own in a newly drawn map. This act, intended to spread hatred against the Nepalese government, was swiftly countered by the citizens of Nepal who took a strong stand in favor of India.

On the other hand, Pakistan's approach to Nepal does not gain the same favor. While the majority of Nepal's population is Hindu, the majority of the people are not supporters of Pakistan. Political leaders in Pakistan often wish for Nepal to align more closely with their country, but this wish is largely unrealized. The Nepalese people firmly maintain their attachment to India, emphasizing their shared historical and cultural ties.

India as the Regional Superpower

India's perception of itself as a regional superpower often leads to the belief that it can influence, control, or dictate the behavior of neighboring countries like Nepal and Pakistan. This mentality has created tensions in the region, with both countries feeling the pressure of India's ambitions. However, Nepal's relationship with India is not solely based on power dynamics but on longstanding cultural and economic ties that have stood the test of time.

Key Takeaways:

Diplomacy involves multiple facets such as trade, culture, and security, and Nepal's relationship with India is well-established in these areas. The economic and cultural ties between India and Nepal are robust and cannot be easily duplicated by relations with Pakistan. Nepalese common people strongly reject actions that seek to pit them against India, highlighting the enduring nature of their relationship.

In conclusion, Nepal's relationship with India is multifaceted and deeply rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual respect, whereas its relationship with Pakistan is more tenuous and influenced by political and social factors. As such, Nepal's diplomatic closeness to India is both natural and firmly established.