Nepal should not play between India and China: Madhav Kumar Nepal

Interview with Former prime minister, Nepal

Two months after elections in Nepal, the country has finally elected a new prime minister, Sushil Koirala of the Nepali Congress. However, the process of government formation remains incomplete. Former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal speaks to Jyoti Malhotra on Rajya Sabha TV on why the political transition is taking so long, why Nepal needs India to invest in its hydroelectric sector and why Gyanendra cannot be King again. Edited excerpts:

Elections were held two months ago but you don't have a government yet.

Nepal is passing through a difficult and delicate time. The transition period is taking too long, that is a problem. We are still debating whether the president should be elected or re-elected by the new Constituent Assembly or not.

Am I speaking to the next president of Nepal?

No, I am not interested in the post of president, as I still have time to play an active role in Nepali politics.

No party has secured a majority in the elections. Are you ready for a coalition with the Nepali Congress (NC)?

We are prepared, but does the NC have a large heart to take the UML ((Unified Marxist-Leninist) into confidence? If the NC is getting the post of prime minister, UML should get the post of president or vice-versa.

So, if Sushil Koirala becomes prime minister, should UML have the president's post?

Yes. We also want some portfolios in the new government.

Do you think it's high time the political transition was completed?

Yes, a lot of time has been lost. Now, we are committed to drafting the Constitution within six months and promulgating it within a year.

What are the priorities of the new government?

Our first priority is to write the Constitution, promulgate it and hold local body elections that have not been held for the last 11 years in 3,900 villages, 58 municipalities and 75 districts. We have to concentrate on economic development, not only indulge in political debates. And, most importantly, promote employment generation.

Nepal has such huge hydro potential.

We have the potential of developing 86,000 Mw, but we have not been able to generate even 1,000 Mw so far. We have to start the process of inviting foreign investors. We want Indian companies to come and invest in the hydroelectric sector.

There was a lot of bad blood in the last few years when the equipment of Indian companies was burnt down.

Yes, that happened in the Upper Karnali project. That was not good. We have asked Maoist leaders to stop their cadres from hooliganism; we told them their behaviour was discouraging foreign investors from coming into Nepal. Besides hydropower, there is big scope in tourism. We also need foreign investment in modernising industry, improving infrastructure, building roads and making a new airport.

The Chinese are very interested in investing in Nepal.

Yes, the Chinese are interested, but compared to them, the Indians are bigger. I think the Nepalese market should be open; there should be competition.

Should Indian and Chinese businessmen compete?

Yes, to give the best services to the people of Nepal. But it is better if Indian businessmen come because we want to export our electricity to the Indian market.

Are you willing to export electricity to India?

Yes, it has to be done. How can we consume all our electricity?

This is what Bhutan is doing. Are you willing to follow Bhutan?

It was our idea first. For a long time, we have been talking about exporting electricity to India, but because of the internal armed insurgency in Nepal, we could not do it earlier.

What is China's role in Nepal? Also, why did Maoist leader Prachanda visit China first after he became prime minister?

I have nothing to say about that - why Prachanda preferred to go to China, what he said there. He should explain that. I believe we should not play between India and China; we should have very cordial relations with all our neighbours, especially India. Culturally and socially, we are very close. India has been a friend during the times of our democratic struggle. At one time, we were thinking of developing our cooperation on the Mahakali river, building the Pancheshwar project that could generate 6,000 Mw. We have to do that.

Do you think Prachanda made a mistake by choosing China first?

I think we have to think about the attitude we take towards India. We should have no negative feelings about India. India is a good friend. Many issues have been resolved through dialogue between our political leaders, there is nothing that cannot be resolved between us.

What is the role of Gyanendra, the former king, and his interest in politics?

He has not jumped into politics yet, but he has supporters there. He is free to join politics, do business, live as a prominent citizen of Nepal, but not dream of coming back. There is no possibility of turning back history. Nepal cannot be a monarchy again.

But several people were starting to sympathise with him again.

Everywhere, monarchical forces want to come back. But it's not possible. People don't see the king as a stable political force. There is no need for another institution above the people.

Do you think India understands that? Many in India want him to play a greater role.

No, he can't play a greater role; the people don't want him. Of course, India understands that. I have spoken to many people in India about this, since the time of the Jan Andolan in 2006. This is no longer an issue in Nepali politics. Democratic politics has taken strong roots.