Nepal - India Open Borders Problems and Prospects

by Baral, Lok Raj; Pyakurel, Uddab P.

• ISBN13: 9789384464868
• ISBN10: 9384464864
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2016-02-07
• Publisher: Vij Books India

Summary

The present book is based on field study of Nepal-India open border arrangement and conduct of such unique and free border existing between the two countries since the signing of Sugauli Treaty in 1815-16. Its openness poses both challenges and opportunities for disturbing as well as making bilateral relations smooth and friendly. How such close relations which are incomparable to others have been managed and how the newer problems that arise with the pace of time and situation are being addressed are also the theme of study.

The findings of study are no less significant as Nepal and India have developed mechanisms to deal with the day-to-day problems making significant improvements for streamlining the border. Yet, two types of problems have given rise to occasional controversy: infringement of border and humanitarian problems caused by the erosion of borderland and occupation of no-man's land by both Indian and Nepalis. The use and misuse of open border by elements indulged in illegal trade, criminal activities of all nature, have also made border management more complex. The concluding section of the book deals with the corrective measures for making open border more smooth, efficient and credible.

Author Biography

Lok Raj Baral (Ph.D.) is Professor & Executive Chairman of Nepal Centre for Contemporary Studies (NCCS), Kathmandu, Nepal.

Uddhab Pd. Pyakurel, Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, is teaching Political Sociology as Assistant Professor in School of Arts, Kathmandu University, Nepal.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments, Chapter I : Background, Chapter II : Nepal–India Open Border - Genesis And Dynamics, Chapter III : Trade, Chapter IV: The Major Issues Identified During The Fieldwork, Chapter V : Border Disputes, Chapter VI : Causes Behind The Border Related Problems: An Analysis, Chapter VII : Conclusion, Observations And Suggestions, Appendix I List of The People Contacted/Consulted During The Fieldwork, Appendix II List of The Border Ports Visited During Fieldwork, Appendix III Model Interviews, Appendix IV Detail of The Unresolved Spots And Pockets of Nepal-India Border, Appendix V Treaty of Sugauli, 2nd December 1815 Between East India Company And The Country of Nepal, Appendix VI Nepal – Britain Friendship Treaty 21 December 1923, Appendix VII Memorandum of Bipartite Agreement Between The Government of The Dominion Of India And HM Government In The United Kingdom, Appendix VIII Nepal – India Peace And Friendship Treaty , Appendix IX Indo-Nepal Treaties of Trade, Of Transit, And Agreement For Co-Operation To Control Unauthorized Trade 1991, Appendix X Joint Press Statement on External Affairs Minister’s Visit To Nepal July 26, 2014, Appendix XI Agreed Minutes of The Eleventh Meeting of The Nepal-India Joint Working Group On Border Management (Pokhara, Nepal, 10-11 February 2015)