[DIPLO] Nepalization - Reforms in Indo-Himalayan Diplomacy.

The Himalayas are India’s second most vital strategic sector, second only to the border with Pakistan and the contested region of Kashmir, the mountains here border India with Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim, all three sharing a border with the insurgent People’s Republic of China. The signing of the PRC’s Treaty of Friendship with Pakistan indicates a significant change in Indian geopolitics, fearing encirclement from the Chinese bear, India will have to see to the North to ensure it’s interests are secured in the Himalayas.

Bhutan:

The 1949 India-Bhutan Friendship agreement committed Bhutan to the guidance of Indian affairs. In practice this entitled Bhutan to act as little more than a protectorate status with Indian soldiers present in the country to provide security, Indian financing of roads and infrastructure, etc. But the optics of such an agreement were growing increasingly untenable in the 1970s.

A revision of the 1949 agreement was thus needed. The language of the treaty will be purposefully altered from “guidance by the advice of the Indian state” to “guidance under consultation to the Indian state” In addition, the Indian Government will sponsor Bhutan’s entry into the United Nations and the Non Aligned Movement.

To further bind Bhutan with the Indian state, the government has begun the planning and construction of the Chukha Dam financed by Indian banks and all surplus hydropower sold to India. In addition a string of radar and air defense installations will be established in the country, the expansion of the Indian Military Training Team for the Bhutanese Armed Forces, and expansion of infrastructure by the BRO.

Nepal:

The 1950 Nepalese-Indian Treaty was in many respects similar to the Bhutanese treaty but Nepal has underwent significant political changes since then, with the Nepalese Monarchy attempting to adopt a neutral stance vis a vis with India and China due to Indian encroachment on Nepalese sovereignty.

To address these grievances, the 1950 Nepalese Indian-Treaty will be renegotiated into a more comprehensive commercial & political pact between the two countries: India will grant automatic transit rights for Nepalese commerce and firms to use Calcutta as a harbor for Nepalese exports. In addition, duty free access for Nepalese goods in the Indian market will be guaranteed through this treaty bolstering Nepal's development. The sector in Kathmandu and the Terai plains will be delineated into a development zone for Indian financed Nepalese industry.

In addition, India will take the task of constructing the Karnali, Gandaki & Kosi Dams following a similar revenue sharing agreement as that of Bhutan. Nepal will own the dams and will agree to joint flood monitoring systems under Indian supervision. Politically, we want to ensure Nepal does not become a transit point for arms thus Nepal will agree to commitments on transparency of Chinese affairs in Nepal through intelligence and police cooperation and reaffirms India's security provisions to Nepal against Chinese attack. Scholarships to Indian colleges and universuties to Nepalese graduates will be expanded so as to bind the Nepalese middle and upper classes to Indian interests. The pension regime for Gurkhas serving in the Indian Army will be guaranteed and expanded with the army pensions board receiving extra funds from the legislature.