India has erred once again while dealing with her neighbour Nepal. And that too grandly and gravely. Similar folly had been made way back in 1953 when India interfered in the internal matters of Nepal and continued to pay a heavy price for that action. Nepali genuinely harboured a feeling that Indian approach towards Nepal was of the big brother.



Yes, King Gyanendra of Nepal earned the ire of the world for crushing the democracy and the subsequent popular movement in Nepal for the restoration of the same. The protesters were also joined by the Maoists who have already played a havoc in the tiny Himalayan kingdom, sandwiched between two Asian Giants, India and China.

Interestingly, China did not come out openly either in the support of the democratic movement or Maoists or King Gyanendra. It successfully maintained equidistance from all of them.



It looks nice to support democracy but not at the cost of the national interest. The Indian interests have suffered in the latest event of arms-twisting of King Gyanendra by India and the subsequent declaration of the king to restore democracy. India should have sent its armed forces to Nepal to quell the democratic movement and strengthen the hands of the autocrat King Gyanendra at this juncture.



Now, the Maoists will capture the center-stage. Such development is bound to boost the morale of lumpen elements in India, masquerading as Naxalites (the Indian version of Maoists) who are out to divide India vertically in two zones virtually by creating the red corridor across the country, starting from Nepal border and stretching to the Bay of Bengal. The complaisant Indian government has failed to deal with the increasing menace of naxalites in India who continue to threaten the law and order problem.