Finance Minister's Statement Sparks Debate on Nationalism and India Relations

Kathmandu, Kartik 10. The statement made by Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at a program organized in India on Ashoj 6 has become controversial. At the 'NDTV World Summit 2026' program organized by Indian television channel NDTV, he had stated that the era of nationalism linked with anti-India sentiment is over. Due to this statement, the Finance Minister has been drawn into controversy, and debates are ongoing for and against it. He had said there, 'At one time in Nepal, nationalism was associated with anti-India sentiment, but that era is now over.' Former Foreign Ministers and political analysts are commenting that making such remarks on foreign soil, ignoring sensitive national issues, is against Nepal's self-respect and diplomatic dignity, while some are supporting Wagle's statement. Leaders of the CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party are raising this issue more, while leaders of the Nepali Congress and Madhes-centric parties appear to be silent. CPN-UML's Foreign Department chief, leader Pradip Gyawali, has openly opposed Finance Minister Wagle's statement. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Kamal Thapa has also opposed it. However, former Ambassador Vijaykant Karna has supported Finance Minister Wagle's statement. He said, 'The statement made by the Finance Minister is not wrong, it is correct, but the anti-India sentiment has not completely ended in Nepal.' Karna states that although the anti-India sentiment that existed in Nepal before 2021-022 has decreased, it has not completely disappeared. He said that cooperation between the two countries should be emphasized to end anti-India sentiment in Nepal. 'Gradually, that sentiment will end by implementing agreements between the two countries and giving special emphasis to development and economic activities,' he said. Similarly, Arun Subedi, an expert on foreign affairs, also says that Finance Minister Wagle's statement is not wrong. He wrote on X, 'It is appropriate in protocol, it is another matter, but in terms of content, there is no reason for Wagle ji to take it otherwise.' He commented that Congress is blunt on such issues and sharp in internal disputes, so nothing can be expected from them. 'But it is true, the chapter of the leftists on anti-Indianism is nationalism is over,' he believes. He also expressed the view that disputes between the two countries are subjects to be resolved through cooperation and dialogue over time. However, another former ambassador, Tank Karki, considers Finance Minister Wagle's statement to be wrong. 'First, his statement is wrong, and second, he has made a statement beyond his jurisdiction,' he told RatoPati, 'In diplomacy, what is said by whom matters a lot, and one has to be very careful when speaking, but the statement made by the Finance Minister has affected Nepal's nationality.' Former Ambassador Karki also says that Finance Minister Wagle seems to want to include India's sentiments in Nepal's foreign policy. He commented that this has created doubts in the centuries-old relationship between Nepal and India. Similarly, Binod Basnyat, former Lieutenant General of the Nepali Army and an expert on international affairs, said that the relationship between the two countries should not be started from scratch but should be reviewed by correcting past weaknesses in accordance with the changing geopolitical realities. 'Nepal is an indispensable partner of India, and the goal now should be to move forward with mutual benefit and long-term strategic trust,' Basnyat said.

Opposition to India to Fulfill Self-Interest