23 April 2020, NIICE Commentary 4219
Shubham Singh
India and Nepal share a very unique relationship. It has developed over time, not only due to the fact that both nations share a border, but there are historical and cultural bonds as well. Whenever there is a disruption in national welfare, either due to natural calamity or a man-made crisis, the two can be seen standing together. This time again, in the COVID-19 pandemic, the support-sharing has been the same.
Both nations share membership at various international forums such as SAARC, BBIN and BIMSTEC. When the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a call for the SAARC leaders to come together on a video conference and help each other to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, Nepal was among the few of those nations which responded immediately, and welcomed this step. Nepalese Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli personally lauded Prime Minister Modi for taking this initiative. India also initiated a regional COVID-19 Relief fund with a voluntary contribution of USD 10 million, and it was poured into by all other nations, including Nepal.
In India, the number of COVID-19 active cases have crossed the mark of 20,000, with the death toll reaching over 650, whereas in Nepal, it is quite restricted to just 45 cases of infection and without any death. So far, this is quite a big achievement for Nepal, and quite a lot can be learned from it. Initially, India supported Nepal by sending a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assist the health care workers and other officials, who were fighting the pandemic. Later on, India also sent 23 tons of essential medicines including 8.5 lakh dosages of critical medicines, 2.5 lakh dosages of Paracetamol and 3.5 lakh dosages of Hydroxychloroquine. These medicines have proved effective to quite a degree in treating COVID-19 patients. India is the largest producer of Hydroxychloroquine and have provided it to several countries at very large scale.
India and Nepal share a common border which is porous as there is no visa requirement to visit each other’s land. This lockdown has created a lot of problem for the people who cross the border frequently for business purposes, and for people who have families living on both the sides. Over 2 million Nepalese live and work in India, many being daily wage workers. Their jobs are lost due to this unprecedented lockdown. Now they want to go back to their homes. Borders are sealed, which is a necessary requirement to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. International flights have already been suspended since 22 March 2020. People are risking their lives by crossing borders illegally, walking through dense forests and rivers. The footbridge over the roaring Mahakali river that links the two nations have been sealed. Due to this, over thousands of people from Nepal have got stuck in Dharchula – an Indian border town in Uttarakhand. Hunger is a key issue, their money has depleted and finding work is not possible. Women and children are stuck too, and it is becoming difficult to survive. There are lot of Nepalese students who study in India, and now, they are unable to go back to their hometowns. As educational institutions and hostels have shut down, everyone is facing a crisis of food and accommodation. However, there are various efforts that have been made by government agencies that are working in this regard, and are providing the migrants and students some relief.
India and Nepal have been involved in many developmental projects on power and connectivity. These protects have halted due to the COVID-19 crisis. The delay is exerting a huge monitory burden on all stakeholders involved. The fact that the possible cancellation of these projects will drastically impact the lives of many people who were going to benefit from them, will be a distressing concern for the governments to address later. Trade between both nations has also been restricted. On an average, 98 percent of Nepal’s transit trade takes place through the borders, which are closed, and Nepal shares 65 percent out of its total trade, with India. But due to the Pandemic, trucks loaded with goods are standing still at the both sides of the border. There is a shortage of necessary items. The problem is greater for those who are carrying perishable goods.
When this crisis will end, both nations would have to come forward and listen to the plight of the workers, students, tourists and other common people who have been severely impacted due to the pandemic. These people must be safely sent back to their homes, or be rehabilitated into their livelihoods wherever they are. Both the governments need to provide jobs back. The losses in trade must be recovered. An example must be set, on how two neighbouring nations can work towards mutual welfare.
