http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/nepali/meta/dps/2007/02/070209_naya_nepal_madan_ashok?size=au&bgc=003399&lang=ne&nbram=1&nbwm=1&checkedBandwidth=nb&checkedMedia=asx&subtitles=hide&alreadySeen=1

Both Mehta and Regmi are little more than talking heads with pretty narrow visions of their own countries and its neighbors. Mehta's views are too whiny - boo hoo hoo - no support at the UN, huh? And Madan Regmi thinks that the Nepalese you see in India are mostly from Darjeeling, Kumaon and Garwal - perhaps he needs to do an India tour and check out the realities of immigration which have changed significantly in the last 20-30 years. Little wonder neither of them are taken too seriously in their own countries.

i can't say about how Mehta is taken in India but Madan Regmi is a new face to me.
this might also be interesting:

Source:http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=60&page=9

General Ashok Mehta, an eminent defence expert, said, “The situation in Nepal is so fragile that I reckon it as a failed State. The situation that prevails today has resulted in the death of more than 13,000 persons, of which three-fourths are Maoists and the rest are the masses. I recommend that the institution of monarchy should have the legitimate power to govern the country. The King must come clean about his political aspirations and revive the Parliament and be prepared to discuss the situation any time.”
Concluding the seminar, the chief guest Dr Ashrafi Shah, who is former Union Minister of Nepal, said, “Hindi is the language of my heart. If Nepal burns, it is definitely going to hinder the progress of its bordering states.” He emphasised on the need for India to play an instrumental role in restoring peace and democracy in Nepal.

Gen Mehta can't seem make up his mind about what he wants in Nepal. Monarchy or no monarchy - make up your mind! I have heard him talk before - he is as out-of-whack, in my opinion, as Malkani (the BJP foreign-policy expert who used to be quoted a lot at one time for things he said about India's neighbors).

Yes cap haddock,

I felt the same, he is an old confused man I guess.Tell us more about Malkani please.

Malkani said a couple of dumb things like this which got quite a few people in Nepal worked up. But what I think a lot of people forget is that voices like these dont hold sway in major policy decisions and in the end all politics, including on the international arena , is about practical and pragmatic politics.

I dont mean to minimize the concerns of many people, but a lot of stuff like this has to be taken with a grain of salt. You can't go postal on some person who is so removed from the real working of things.

- http://www.peoplesreview.com.np/2006/250506/index.html


What Indians think about Nepal!


In an astounding display of political ineptitude at a time when Nepal is seething with anti-India sentiment, senior BJP ideologue and member of the party's national executive K.R. Malkani asserted that Jawaharlal Nehru should have accepted the accession of Nepal to India in the 1950s when it was "offered to us by King Tribhuvan."

In an exclusive interview to The News Today at its Office recently, Malkani said there were many reasons for the current anti-India tirade in Nepal – "Some of the mistakes are on our side, some are mischief by other parties."

Elaborating, Malkani said, "I think we made a very serious, very foolish mistake when Tribhuvan offered to accede to India and Nehru said — 'No, duniya kya kahegi?’ (what will the world say?) We should have accepted the accession of Nepal to India when it was offered to us by King Tribhuvan."

On further questioning, he said the offer was made in the mid-50s, "1954 or 55," adding, "It is known, it is public knowledge." He repeated that Nehru refused the offer only because he feared adverse world opinion. "Usko duniya ka chinta zyaada tha (he was more concerned about the world), the BJP leader said with a touch of sarcasm. 'Pakistani presence very strong in Nepal' Asked if it would have been had Nepal had become a part of India like Sikkim in 1976, Malkani said: "Of course, of course." He immediately added that " Pakistan has any number of agents in Nepal, they spend a lot of money out there, "implying that this was made possible because Nepal had remained an independent nation.

Holding forth on the Nepal-Pakistan connection, Malkani said, "When we had no diplomatic relations with Pakistan after the 1971 war, Bhutto especially sent a very influential powerful man to Nepal. He himself told me that Nepal is now very important for us as an entry point because from Nepal anybody can enter India – goods can come in, agents can come in, anybody can come in." He further said, "So the – I need not call it Muslim — the Pakistani presence is very strong in Nepal. And probably Nepal thinks that they will be in a better position to deal with India if they have Pakistan's support. (They feel that) they can always bargain with us – this always happens to buffer states."

(NEWS TODAY, NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 29, 2000)

Oops, sorry dude. I was unnecessarily focussing too much on a joker like Malkani.

he he ... And Mehta is only half a notch away from Malkani - or so it seems going by his incessant nonsense.

So what do you think? What will determine the Nepal-India relations in days to come?And what can Nepal do to secure a good diplmatic position over India? Lets discuss this.

I have talked about this in detail on other threads before, but in summary, it is ultimately economic issues that are likely to triumph in the long term. However, our small sense of ourselves could be the gating factor that stops us from pushing economics to the forefront of India-Nepal relations.

The best, and most realistic way, in my opinion to get respect from India is to acquire that ultimate thing that everyone, including India, respects: money. In a globalized world, money will be the new currency of power. Whether we like it or not, our economic destiny is tied to India's in many ways (hydro power, leveraging cheaper labor in Nepal for lower cost goods and services, sub-contracting Western work to cheaper Nepali firms etc etc). Mostly baby steps over the years that we need to take to make our economy more competitive and conducive to business.

That's in brief - there was a thread earlier on this with more details. Will post the link if I can find it.

Have a good one.

:)

True. But, all along the way, we will still need to deal India's "Big Brother" role ( which unfortunately is true; it has the capacity to do so). To deal with it, Nepal needs to be a dynamite belt in India's belly, with the potential of taming the "Big Brother". Throwing the China card is too weak now. What can be the strategic arsenal to warn the potential bully? Unless this is taken care of, we will keep on stumbling on almost all the economic agendas you are talking about.

Added to that, who will bell the cat?

I hate indians like anyother neplese.......either thats our politics or economy... indian intervention have been worth complaining about. But it is not because of the size of the country nepal is in this stage..look how egypt treated sudan or how mongolia once was the supreme.I think its us who can make nepal rich and a powerful country...
Now as we see india and for that matter china is gaining their reputation. as a good neighbour i think we should make the best of this opportunity.Do you want to see Nepal like mexico??? a country that shares the border with one of the power centers.
If our politicians think India is our friend..this is the time when we can get the best from this so called friend...
one thing is certain, untill and unless we dont work hard,nepal's not gonna prosper.So when are we gonna have the environment to support hard work still remains a unclear question.So can we accuse india for our lack in affort....

Do mind mehta’ words dudes. After all he is strongly doubted as one of the military mind behind the terrorism (synonyms for maoism in the context of Nepal...to be precise). baberam pracheram sabai chullukka mutcha usko agadi.

OK understood, ceteris peribus(blame game included); what can we do now to bring the ball in our court?

1.Evaluate the treaty signed By India and Nepal till now and amend if necessary .

2.Discuss the real fair deal in new projects .Openly debate in parliament.Consult with the experts.Make a strong case and present it to India.If possible,they will accept if not find .Another Investors from Europe or America.We need India but we don't always need India.

3.Keep Balance relationship between India and China.China needs Nepal as much as Nepal needs China.And Also India Needs Nepal as Much as Nepal Needs India when it comes to border security.

4.If possible , implement Visa system between India and Nepal.If not possible at least issue work authorization to Indian .At least we can collect some Tax.

5.Citizenship law should be strictly enforced.

6.Nepal is Culturally very close to India , this is a very good coin for Nepalese to bet in india to win sentiments of ordinary Indian public.

7.Do not critcize India, try to comewith ideas to bring Indian investment to Nepal.As well as IT.Small trickle of wealth if comes to Nepal .it would be more than enough.

8.Stop hate game - India is neither enemy nor a friend .We are business men we deal with each other.This is business- Mind it business of country-leaders need to know how to make good business deal.