The Nepalese Maoist worldview sees India, except on rare occasions, as a big bully, a ‘hegemonic’ power and a strategic ally of the ‘imperialist’ United States. At one point in time, top Maoists had even declared that the success of the Maoist-led revolution in Nepal might well turn into a ‘common grave’ for Indian and American soldiers if they come to the aid of the Nepali regime.

Nepal’s insurgency has now taken a break - what with the state and the rebels observing ceasefire over the past five months to give peace a chance. But the India factor remains strongly lodged in the mind of country’s political players and policy makers.

In a recent seminar, Baburam Bhattarai, the Maoists’ key ideologue, acknowledged that the Maoists would take into account India’s genuine security concern. His comments, at a time when the Maoists are waiting to be included in the interim government, puts the rebel in the category of other parliamentary parties as far as their India policy is concerned. However, the anti-India stance of the Maoists is getting more pronounced once again now. The reason for which is the government of India’s refusal to release C P Gajurel, Maoist Central committee member, even after he completed the three-year jail term in Chennai for his traveling on a fake passport.

Bhattarai, in the seminar, hadn’t just promised to take Indian security concern into account, but also publicly acknowledged and lauded the southern neighbour’s role in bringing the seven party alliance and the Maoists to work together for ‘peace, democracy and prosperity’ within the framework of a 12-point bilateral understanding. But Gajurel’s handover to the West Bengal police a fortnight ago for a trial for ‘treason’ has made the Maoist mid and lower cadres suspicious — ‘Is India actually helping us in our peace initiatives?’ And the Maoist leadership is not in a position to reassure their cadre.

... contd.