Nepal has formally issued marching orders in writing and sacked its ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay, who said his “release” from the post was probably due to a “misunderstanding” with the Nepalese government led by Prime Minister K.P. Oli.
Mr Upadhyay had lunch with Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar on Tuesday during which the two diplomats discussed Indo-Nepalese ties, hours after which the Nepalese ambassador said the Indian side was “anxious” since New Delhi perceived that “whatever good they do with Nepal, the result is always something negative.”
The downturn in the Indo-Nepal ties was compared by the envoy to a “bad dream,” even as he emphasised that the two countries had to work towards “repairing and mending” their relationship. The Nepalese envoy, who will return to his country on Sunday, said the scheduled visit of the Nepalese President had been “suspended” for time being, adding that it should have gone ahead.
The Nepalese envoy termed the decision to remove him as a “release” from the post, saying he felt relieved now. Not choosing to attack the Nepalese government directly, Mr Upadhyay said his removal was a “political” decision taken by Kathmandu. Mr Upadhyay confirmed he had received a “formal communication” late on Monday evening from Nepal that informed him of Kathmandu’s decision. The Nepalese envoy also made it clear that China was not an alternate option for Nepal compared to India since the mountainous terrain did not permit largescale movement of supplies from the Tibet region of China to Nepal. Although India has not reacted formally to the development, New Delhi appears upset with the Oli government for sacking of Mr Upadhyay. New Delhi feels the Nepalese envoy played a very constructive role in boosting Indo-Nepalese ties during his tenure.
Although the Nepalese government has not specified the exact reasons for Mr Upadhyay’s removal, media reports in Nepal had earlier said that the ambassador to India was seen by Prime Minister Oli as being too close to both New Delhi and the Nepali Congress. The trigger was the move to bring about the fall of the Oli government, apparently engineered by the Nepali Congress and the Maoists led by former Prime Minister Prachanda. The move fizzled out since Prachanda backed out. However, according to the Nepalese media, it was enough to apparently convince the Oli government that Mr Upadhyay along with the Nepali Congress and New Delhi was planning its ouster. The Oli government then decided to cancel the visit of President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to India, a move opposed by the Nepalese envoy. This resulted in Mr Upadhyay’s sacking.
In the wake of widespread speculation, the Oli government was forced to deny the Nepalese media reports that it was planning action against the Indian ambassador to Nepal as well.
Asked about it, Mr Upadhyay dismissed the allegations, saying one should “not go for imaginary stories.” He lamented that even scheduled visits to promote tourism had been mischievously speculated upon.
Mr Upadhyay made it clear on Tuesday that Nepal should not blame others for its political instability, a clear if veiled reference to the Oli government, without naming it.
In a democracy, he said, it was the “numerical majority” that mattered, and even referred to the ongoing political turmoil in Indian hill-state Uttarakhand. He said such developments should not be interpreted to mean that a foreign hand was working to destabilise the polity. “If someone blames, it is not correct,” he said.
Significantly, he also said Maoist leader Prachanda appears to be in the race for the post of Prime Minister in Nepal and that “he can be PM.” He also said no amendments in the Constitution are possible without the support of the Nepali Congress. Mr Upadhyay said he had been with the Nepali Congress before his appointment as the ambassador last year and that he had then immediately suspended his links with that party in order to be “neutral” and perform the tasks of an envoy. There are indications now that Mr Upadhyay will return to active politics in Nepal with the Nepali Congress.
