Buddhi Narayan Shrestha writes - If the country's borders shrink, the very existence of the country will be in danger, therefore, the country's livelihood should be well-organized while maintaining its geographical integrity.
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In the Falgun 21 elections, which were brought about as a result of the Gen-G rebellion, the National Independent Party won a total of 182 seats (66.2 percent, or almost two-thirds) out of 275 seats, including 125 directly and 57 through proportional representation.
Gen-G wants the new government to end corruption and increase good governance. In addition, the next government should also prioritize the geographical integrity and border management of the nation. If 1,000 square kilometers of the country's area is encroached upon, 200,000 people will become foreign residents. If half the area is encroached upon, 15 million Nepalese citizens will become citizens of other countries. Similarly, if the country's borders shrink, one day the very existence of the country will be in danger. Therefore, livelihoods should be improved in the country while maintaining geographical integrity.
The National Independent Party has written in Article 97 of its election manifesto, ‘We will mobilize the Armed Police Force as a border security force with modern technology, sufficient manpower and high capacity to maintain the geographical integrity of Nepal and control illegal activities in the border area. We will reduce smuggling, illegal trafficking and cross-border crime to zero by implementing night vision cameras, drone surveillance and digital entry-exit record systems at border posts. We will take high-level diplomatic initiatives to permanently resolve border disputes and old treaties and agreements through evidence-based institutional dialogue. We will distribute border identity cards to border residents who are the first guards of the border.’ The question is – how to implement these promises?
The people of both countries have been in a relationship for hundreds of years regarding what kind of border system is needed as an alternative to the open border system currently in force between Nepal and India. Therefore, a regulated or controlled system is the only solution in place of an open border system, depending on the time, situation and circumstances.
There is no need to make any fuss about regulating the open border between Nepal and India. There are currently 24 main customs/immigration and 135 minor customs posts between the two countries. In the first phase, prefab corridor rooms should be constructed in the ten-yard area of 24 main posts and CCTV cameras should be installed on their walls. If five desks are placed at crowded border posts like Belhi-Sunauli, 300 people can move in an hour, or 3,000 passengers in 10 hours.
The Supreme Court has issued a mandate on 12 Baisakh 2078 BS to regulate the open border.
The Armed Police Force has devoted itself to the work of securing the border. The logistical facilities of the security force personnel should be increased. The personnel working in the northern (BOP) like Chhangru, Hilsa, Kimathanka, Olangchungola need warm clothes, readily available ration water, and buildings that do not allow cold weather to enter. In today's era, the Armed Police Force has to guard and protect not only the land border but also the air border. At times, neighboring countries can challenge the security of sensitive areas by flying drones. Therefore, a strategy should be made to encourage the Border Security Force.
Nepal should never forget that mutual talks and negotiations are the best way to resolve the Kalapani issue. During negotiations, according to old maps, historical documents, and documents, the source of the Kali/Mahakali River is Limpiyadhura. This is a land within Nepal's sovereignty and the issue should be resolved forever. There is an example of India and Bangladesh exchanging land in the enclave in August 2015 under negotiations.
When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal for the first time on 20 Shrawan 2071, with the consent of the Prime Ministers of both countries, he was given the responsibility of obtaining technical information from the 'Border Working Group' on the Kalapani and Susta problems and submitting a report to their respective governments. A mechanism at the level of foreign secretaries of both countries was formed. However, the meeting of that mechanism has not been held. Now, it is practical for the new government to revive the Foreign Secretary-level mechanism established eleven years ago in a cordial manner and open the door to mutual dialogue.
The new government should propose to China to establish a trilateral point at two places in the east and west of Nepal (where the lands of Nepal, China and India connect) and form a trilateral committee to protect the geographical integrity. Once the trilateral point is jointly established, the Lipulekh-Kalapani-Limpiyadhura border issue will be resolved forever.
It is necessary to proceed with diplomatic skill, maturity, tact and flattery in the border dialogue. It is important to know what kind of method is needed to avoid regrets after entering and exiting the door of negotiations. This requires in-depth study of old documents, ample internal discussions and strong homework. The new government should not forget this.
