NIAS Area Studies


PAKISTAN READER

Photo Source: Hindustan Times
   NIAS Course on Global Politics
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
For any further information or to subscribe to GP alerts send an email to subachandran@nias.res.in

CWA # 6, 18 May 2018
India-Nepal
What prevents India and Nepal from moving forward?

  Shalini E

Nepal’s transit trade to China, has become a major issue for India. China’s initiative to link Nepal with a high-speed rail link, particularly under the One Belt One Road initiative, has caused an alarm in Delhi

The recent visit of Nepal Prime Minister Oli to India did not create a positive impact on bilateral relations, for the following reasons.

Nepal’s desire to revise the Peace and Friendship treaty is a major problem in the bilateral relations. Nepal considers the treaty as unequal; a section even wants to scrap the treaty. For India, the treaty forms the bedrock of bilateral relations between India and Nepal since 1950.

Border disputes between two countries is another controversial issue, particularly in two areas – Kalapani and Susta.The Mahakali river defines the border in Kalapani, but both India and Nepal have different claims over the origin of the river causing conflict. The floods in the Narayani River which also forms the India-Nepal border has re-shaped the land, making Nepal to consider that India is encroaching the former’s territory.

India’s demonetization efforts, had bad effect on the Nepali citizins residing in both countries. People living along the border stand affected, due to their business. The issue is yet to be resolved.

Nepal’s transit trade to China, has become a major issue for India. China’s initiative to link Nepal with a high-speed rail link, particularly under the One Belt One Road initiative, has caused an alarm in Delhi. China has also pledged nearly 8 billion dollars in foreign investments to Nepal, leading to slow down of Nepal’s dependency on India in terms of trade. China’s growing influence in Nepal is not only related to trade and commerce, but a part of Beijing’s larger strategy to encircle India in South Asia.

Water Cooperation between Nepal and India has a complicated history. There have been agreements signed on major rivers, essentially for large hydroelectric and irrigation projects by building dams and barrages. No project except the Kosi barrage has been completed yet.

Shalini.E is currently pursuing Masters in International studies in Christ (deemed to be University)

Print Bookmark

The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon | Dr Lakshmi Venugopal Menon is an academic and policy researcher specializing in Gulf studies, cultural heritage trafficking, geopolitics, migration, Afghan politics and the Taliban.

The Middle East (Jan–Mar 2026):
February 2026 | CWA # 1959

Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is an undergraduate student from Madras Christian College, Chennai.

UK and China
February 2026 | CWA # 1957

R Preetha | R Preetha is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

The India–US interim trade framework
February 2026 | CWA # 1956

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

End of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
TWTW note
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Trump tariffs:
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
Science, Technology and International Relations
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta | Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu

Nepal
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

The Maldives
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

India
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Bangladesh
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Afghanistan