Nepal's RSP chief seeks to mend India ties, defuse parliamentary deadlock

Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of Nepal's ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has launched a dual initiative to repair relations with India and resolve the country's persistent parliamentary deadlock. His efforts come after Prime Minister Balendra Shah's recent remarks during a House of Representatives meeting suggested the United Kingdom should also engage in Nepal's border dispute with India, citing the 1816 Sugauli Treaty.

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The all-party meeting was called out of a sense of responsibility as a leader of the ruling coalition. We believe the parliamentary deadlock must end. We also briefed leaders of other parties on current political issues and the outcomes of our party delegation’s visit to India at the BJP’s invitation.

These comments prompted a swift reaction from India's Ministry of External Affairs, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that bilateral mechanisms exist to handle boundary matters and that third-party involvement is unnecessary. Shortly after the prime minister's address, Lamichhane traveled to New Delhi at the invitation of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Nitin Nabin. During his five-day visit, Lamichhane met with senior Indian political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to reassure New Delhi on bilateral issues.

Upon his return, Lamichhane consulted with Prime Minister Shah and then convened an all-party meeting, the first hosted by the RSP since its emergence as the largest party in Parliament. The meeting aimed to break the legislative stalemate. Bipin Acharya, joint general secretary of the RSP, stated the party called the meeting out of responsibility and emphasized the need to end the deadlock. He also mentioned briefing other party leaders on current political issues and the outcomes of their India visit.

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Rabi Lamichhane’s efforts to improve relations with India and ease tensions among domestic political parties were in line with his political responsibilities. Upon returning, he consulted the prime minister and sought to break the domestic political deadlock by calling an all-party meeting. The RSP chairman’s efforts on both fronts are commendable.

Political analyst Professor Krishna Pokharel described Lamichhane's actions as commendable and in line with his political responsibilities, noting his efforts on both the India relationship and domestic political unity. Nepali Communist Party lawmaker Barshaman Pun also welcomed the resumption of dialogue, calling Lamichhane's outreach a good start after a period of stagnation.

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The ruling party chairman has made a good start. Dialogue has finally resumed after a period of complete stagnation among political parties.