Opinion | Mending the strained Nepal-India relations
Summary
The Nepal-India relationship is strained due to deep psychological and historical differences, fueled by incidents like the recent Delhi airport controversy and past events such as the 2015 border blockade. Both nations need to build mutual respect and overcome stereotypes to heal and strengthen their ties.
Key Points
- The recent incident at Delhi airport highlighted the deep psychological divide affecting Nepal-India relations.
- Nepali national identity is strongly tied to its unbroken sovereignty, contrasting with India's view of a shared cultural space.
- Mutual prejudices and derogatory stereotypes exist on both sides, damaging respect between the peoples.
- Political exploitation of Nepal-India tensions hinders mature foreign policy and national development.