REGIONAL COOPERATION
consistently putting effort on global alliances under the UN flag but was reluctant to partake in Iraq , Afghanistan under NATO or the US banner .
With debates and opinions flowing in all circles , the government decided that the Nepali Army would not participate in the BIMSTEC joint military exercise but would send observers . Thailand , owing to prior commitments , also sent observers instead of troops . The joint military exercise saw platoon level troops of five nations .
Budge Onward
The recently adjourned 4th BIMSTEC Summit is an opportunity for Nepal and other nation states to strive for better co-ordination , more efficient access and appropriate delivery mechanism to and fro the IO . Trading surplus resources , clean energy , fresh water , and natural gas within the region with appropriate trade and transit agreement come with optimistic possibilities .
Being a component of the Act East and Act West policies for utilising resources and trading energy would be advantageous as long as it helps with closing trade deficit . Implementing policies and prioritising BBIN MVA and SASEC for connectivity and cross-border energy trade agreement would improve natural gas and hydroelectric export / import for economic growth , contributing towards regional stability and prosperity . Nepal ’ s goal of producing 15000 MW in the next 10 years would be equipped to sell abroad the excess through Bangladesh to Myanmar and Thailand . MOU with India on cross-border energy trade policy , if agreed , would facilitate the export of electricity to third countries via India . Bangladesh Power Development Board ( BPDB ) has signed an agreement with India ’ s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam ( NVVN ) which will allow it to import electricity generated by the Upper Karnali hydro project which is being developed by an Indian company through the Indian power grid .
Security co-operation for non-traditional threats through military conventions , physical connectivity , and energy security received precedence without political savor . In distinction to political and economic attainment , the consensus on security related co-operation to combat common threats and dangers , international terrorism , illicit drug trafficking and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters mandates armed forces to have clear records . It is also important to establish defense diplomacy by initiating Defense and Military conference — SAARC / BIMSTEC Defense Ministers Conferences ( S / BDMC ) and SAARC / BIMSTEC Chief ’ s Conference ( S / BCC ) of defence , police and intelligence . The Nepali Army Chief should have been part of the Chief ’ s conclave in the first ever BIMSTEC military exercise together held with other six member nations ’ Army Chiefs .
BIMSTEC after addressing its vision statement , charter and capacity structure will not position itself as an alternative for bilateral , regional or multilateral co-operation arrangements like SAARC but rather be complementary . South Asian prosperity vis-a-vis connectivity and access to Central Asian resource rich nations is similarly imperative .
Bhutan , India , and Nepal should group with the 11 members Central Asia CAREC , which would be another bridge from South Asia to Central Asian Nations , enhancing political and economic relations .
The grouping , if agrees to several measures including a protocol for coastal shipping agreements and dedicated line of communication , would give sea access to three landlocked countries : Afghanistan , Bhutan , and Nepal .
The possibilities of countries like Cambodia , Laos , Malaysia , and Vietnam are likely to further board the cooperation spectrum , falling in lines with India ’ s Act East and Thailand ’ s Act West policies . Strengthening BIMSTEC would also supplement the Mekong Ganga Co-operation ( MGC ). So it is important that regional networking via bilateral , trilateral and multilateral regional associations of SAARC , BIMSTEC , SASEC and BBIN MVA galvanise keeping aside bilateral misunderstandings .
Creating an environment of diplomatic isolation may culminate in strategic fallacies ; hence , India ’ s Neighbourhood First Policy is important for strengthening the existing institutions in hand . The Indo-Nepal relationship resumed the Eminent Persons Group status and has been sub divided into specialised fields to keep a check on misapprehensions , difference of opinion , and disagreements .
Unless India presents a clear appealing proposition , it will remain without a strategic vision in the immediate neighbourhood . India ought to emphasise on the five point agenda with its immediate neighbours for strong regional relationship and people to people contact through ( STRENGTH ): S-pirituality ; T-radition , Trade and Technology ; R-elationship ; E-ntairtainment ; N-ature Conservation ; G-ames ; T-ourism ; H-ealth and Healing .
The struggle of nations under the Himalayan arc , juxtaposed between two major and competing rising powers is a reality . It will be useful to identify areas in which the region can cooperate , instead of working on a win-lose or no-win basis . The traditional security theory will continue to negate all attempts to find a feasible way forward . India ’ s tie with its immediate neighbours is special and time-tested because of deep geographical , historical , cultural , and familial links . The strategy should focus not just on changing policies but also on changing outlook .
Holding annual meeting of associations is essential for substantive results . The fundamentals of Central , South , South West , and South East Asia connectivity is vital and imperative for the New Asian Order .
* Binoj Basnyat is a retired Nepali Army Major General and Political & Security Analyst .
46 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 9 • September 2018 , Noida