Transcript Document
Contemporary Developments in
Nepal & Options for India
Dr. Rahul Tripathi & Joel D’Silva
South Asia Together – ICG, Goa.
1
Structure of the Presentation
Nepal – Brief Historical Background.
Democratic experience and Maoist
resurgence.
Build up to the recent crisis.
India’s dilemmas and options.
Challenges ahead
2
Nepal
Brief Historical Background
Evolution of Monarchy
The Rana Regime (1846-1952)
Panchayat Democracy (1960-1990)
Return to parliamentary democracy
(1990-2005)
3
Prithvi
Narayan Shah
ShumsherJung
Bahadur Rana
Birendra Bir Bikram
Shah Dev
4
Nature of Nepalese Society
Predominantly Hindu (90%)
Major ethnic groups
a. Tibeto-Burman migrants
(hills & mountains)
b. Indo-Aryans (plains, Terai )
c. Newari (original people –
Katmandu Valley)
Prevalence of Indo-Aryan
caste hierarchy
5
Nature of Nepalese Economy
Among the poorest & least developed
countries
Agriculture provides 80% of
employment & 41% of GDP
Unemployment 50% approx.
Economic growth – 0.8% (1960-1990)
and 2.1% (1990-2003)
6
Democratic Experience &
Maoist Resurgence
Turbulent parliamentary
Democracy in 1990’s.
Emergence of Maoists in mid90’s.
40 point demand on
Nationalism (9), People’s
democracy (17) & Livelihood
(14).
Armed struggle
7
Girija Prasad Koirala
Prachanda
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
The Maoists
8
Spread of Maoism
Nepal (1990’s)
Nepal (2006)
9
Build up to the recent crisis
The crisis of Monarchy
a. The Palace massacre (2001)
b. The ‘activist’ & ‘unpopular’
monarch.
c. Clamp down on freedoms
Dismissal of the Government &
proclamation of emergency
7 party alliance (SPA) & Public protests
Restoration of Parliament
10
King Gyanendra Bir
Bikram Shah Dev
Prince Paras
Violent Protests
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India’s Dilemmas and Options
Nepal's special status with India
The ‘Ugly’ Indian
The ‘Indispensable’ Indian
India’s response
a. From ‘twin pillar theory’ to
‘people’s will’.
b. Maoist concern
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PM Manmohan
Singh
Shyam Saran
Dr. Karan Singh
13
Challenges Ahead
Political parties –
consensus building
Maoists – Joining the
mainstream?
King – ‘Uncertain
Future’
India – ‘Ever Balancer’
14
Picture Sources:
National Geographic
Outlook Magazine
Wikipedia
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