KATHMANDU — Speaking at the NDTV World Anviksha Summit in Kathmandu, Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor commended New Delhi’s swift humanitarian response to Nepal’s recent flash floods, while strongly advising Indian media against self-congratulatory coverage that could strain bilateral sensitivities.
Tharoor urged a fundamental shift in how India engages with its Himalayan neighbor, stressing that mutual respect, sovereignty, and constructive dialogue must guide the relationship over paternalistic narratives.
Lessons from 2015 Relief Media Coverage and Economic Blockade
Reflecting on historical friction points in India-Nepal ties, Tharoor highlighted two key episodes that damaged goodwill:
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Insensitive Media Coverage: Recalling the fallout from the 2015 post-earthquake relief operations, Tharoor criticized the sensationalist tone of sections of Indian media, emphasizing that those providing assistance should refrain from triumphalist reporting that alienates recipients.
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The 2015–16 Economic Blockade: Characterizing the months-long informal blockade as a “colossal, Himalayan blunder,” Tharoor noted that the episode caused severe economic disruption in Nepal and lasting diplomatic strain, regardless of official stances.
Reimagining the Bilateral Partnership
While acknowledging the deep-seated cultural and social linkages—often described as a roti-beti (filial and economic) connection—Tharoor emphasized that contemporary diplomacy requires a modern approach:
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Sovereign Equality: India must consistently treat Nepal as an equal, sovereign partner whose domestic and geopolitical perspectives are respected.
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Positive Momentum: Expressing optimism about current diplomatic relations, Tharoor remarked that bilateral communication and body language between New Delhi and Kathmandu are currently in a highly constructive phase.
“During the earthquake, India provided commendable help, but the way the media covered it, the boasting was in bad taste… Media needs to be as sensitive about the relationship as the government. We need to show Nepal the respect that a sovereign and equal country deserves.”
