The Political Dynamics of Functional Collaboration: Indo-Nepalese River Projects

Abstract

foreign policy interaction between Nepal and India since 1947 has been characterized by strands of collaboration as well as discord. While pervasive religio-cultural, politico-ideological, and economic bonds with India have exerted a pull toward an empathetic relationship between Nepal and India, the need to assert its independent identity and reduce its overwhelming economic dependence upon India has led Nepal to evolve a close relationship with China. Under King Miahendra, Nepal's foreign policy had sought to balance India and China. And this may well become a persistent aspect of Nepal's foreign policy in the foreseeable future.' This article seeks to analyze the functional collaboration by India and Nepal in the exploitation of their common river resources, particularly the Kosi and Gandak Projects. One of the central concerns of this study relates to the nature and degree of situational between the key decision-makers of the two countries pertaining to these projects and its ramifications for further collaboration. The article also seeks to explicate the political dynamics of river resource collaboration between these two neighbors. The concept of mutual responsiveness is redefined here to mean a situational pre-disposition to negotiate, which also implies subsequent working -out of mutually acceptable compromises.2