The Nepal government has agreed to amend the new constitution to appease the protestors in the country’s plains. They had located Nepal’s border with India for over three months. Violence took a toll of about 50 lives. The Madhesis demanded population-based proportional representation in the government and a change in the constituency delimitation. New Delhi supported the demand and the crisis crippled Nepal’s economy. The Madhesis however complained that the amendment is vaguely worded. India is now anxious to remove bitterness with Nepal. New Delhi’s policies had been considered meddlesome by Kathmandu. Madhesis have links with Biharis and Delhi gained support to Madhesis. The BJP saw in its move an opportunity to improve its electoral prospects in Bihar which proved a failure. India was accused of helping the protestors in the blockade which meant great hardship for the hills. The Nepal government has now arrived at a compromise to come to terms with Madhesis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had blundered in its Nepal policy. In 1989, Rajiv Gandhi had also placated Nepal which proceeded to build a second highway to China. The decision created a standoff. The economy of the Xinjian district in China brought a boost and Beijing pushing railways into the region deepens Nepal’s relations with China. Modi shouldn’t make the same mistake. India should make diplomatic overtures instead of playing Big Brother.