KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has remarked that Nepal–India diplomatic relations have long been trapped in a repetitive cycle, resembling the Greek myth of Sisyphus.
Making his observation on social media in response to an article published by Rabi Lamichhane during his India visit in the English daily The Hindustan Times, Bhattarai said Nepal–India relations carry both visible and invisible layers of complexity.
He noted that while discussions around development cooperation and civilizational ties between the two countries are often positively received on both sides, deeper strategic and sovereignty-related concerns continue to simmer beneath the surface.
The former prime minister recalled that during his tenure, initiatives such as the BIPPA agreement had raised expectations of increased development cooperation, despite internal political criticism. He said such efforts had initially generated optimism in both countries.
However, Bhattarai emphasized that this visible dimension represents only one aspect of bilateral relations. He pointed out that there is also a hidden and unresolved layer of strategic sensitivity that both sides tend not to openly acknowledge.
“There is another serious dimension that remains unspoken but continuously troubles both sides,” he remarked, adding that responsible stakeholders often avoid open discussion despite ongoing tensions beneath the surface.
Bhattarai further argued that India’s strategic outlook, shaped since the colonial era, still carries a perception of security dominance over the Himalayan region, which is reflected in recurring border disputes.
On the other hand, he said Nepali concerns are deeply rooted in fears of sovereignty erosion and what is often referred to as Sikkimization, creating a persistent psychological and diplomatic gap between the two countries.
To address these long-standing issues, Bhattarai said he had initiated the concept of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) during his premiership, aimed at resolving sensitive bilateral concerns through structured dialogue. However, he expressed disappointment that the EPG report remains unimplemented and stuck in limbo.
Referring to Lamichhane’s ongoing visit to New Delhi, Bhattarai expressed hope that the engagement would contribute to breaking what he described as a persistent diplomatic cycle between Kathmandu and Delhi. He also hinted that the current exchange of heated rhetoric on both sides was not a positive sign for bilateral relations.
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