Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Visit by a Nepalese Delegation

A five-member delegation from Nepal, led by Abdul Razzak, Member of Parliament (Nepali Congress Party) and comprising Dr Jagat Bahadur Pathak, Dr C B Pun, Gopi Prasad and Hira KC as members of the delegation, visited the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on 29 Apr 2016 for a discussion on India-Nepal relations in the present context. It may be recalled that bilateral ties between India and Nepal have been on a roller coaster in recent times, especially since the breakout of protests by Madhesi people in the lower regions of Nepal.

May 04, 2016 Event Report

Interaction with a Nepalese Business and Trade Delegation

Leading a twelve-member business and trade delegation from Nepal, Mr. Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal, the Chief Whip of CPN-UML (the second largest political party in Nepal’s consensus government) visited the Vivekananda International Foundation on 22 Feb 2016 for an interaction on the broader dynamics of Indo-Nepal relations against the backdrop of Nepal’s recent political crisis. The delegation, part of the visiting Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s entourage, comprised, among other elected representatives, Chief whips of other political parties and Mr. Sushil Gyawali and Mr.

February 25, 2016 Event Report

Interaction with a Nepalese Civil Society Delegation

Leading a six-member Nepalese Civil society delegation, Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana, a legal luminary in Nepal and former Speaker of the House of Representative, visited the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on 27 January 2016 for an interaction, focusing on the ongoing Madhesi uprising in Nepal. Mr Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Mr Vijay K Karna, Mr Tula Narayan Shah, Mr Dipendra Jha, and Mr Krishna Chaudhary were other members of the delegation.

February 04, 2016 Event Report

Interaction with Prof Hari Bansh Jha on the Madhesi Uprising in Nepal

On 04 December 2015, the VIF invited Hari Bansh Jha, Professor of Economics, Nepal’s Tribhuvan’s University for an interaction on the current political uprising in Nepal and its implications, especially for India. Prof. Jha presented an insightful analysis of how systemically over the years the government of Nepal through a series of discriminatory measures has marginaslised the Madeshi population (people settled in the Terai region of Nepal), a problem of growing magnitude that has also strained India-Nepal bilateral relations to some extent in recent months.

January 06, 2016 Event Report

Visit of Nepalese Delegation

A five-member delegation from Nepal Transition to Peace-Institute (NTTP I) visited the VIF on July 24, 2014 for interaction on a variety of issues of mutual interest. The delegation was led by former Speaker of the Nepalese Parliament Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana, Senior Facilitator and Chairman of the Institute and included, among others, distinguished personalities such as Mr. Padma Ratan Tuladhar and Mr. Vidyadhar Mallik, both former ministers. The VIF delegation was led by the Director, Gen (Retd) N C Vij and included Mr. C D Sahay, Lt.Gen (Retd) Ravi Sawhney and others.

August 08, 2014 Event Report

Nepal The Framing of a New Constitution: History, Issues and Challenges

Prof B C Upreti

Preface Nepal has experienced some catalytic political changes in the recent decades. The Maoist insurgency, the monarchy’s assertion to direct rule, the reinstallation of democratic rule through the second democratic movement and the polarization of the Maoists and the other political forces of the country to restructure the Nepalese state, etc have been some of the significant developments.

July 01, 2014 Monograph

Interaction with H. E Amb Glenn White, Australian Ambassador to Nepal

On 3rd September 2013, VIF welcomed Amb Glenn White, the Australian Ambassador to Nepal for a brief interaction on the latest political developments in Nepal. Having spent the last four months in Nepal, Amb White gave a succinct assessment of the ground situation in Nepal. Discussions also took place on how India and Australia can contribute to strengthening democracy and democratic values in the Himalayan state. Both sides emphasised the need for peace, stability and progress in Nepal, which was important for the entire region.

September 03, 2013 Event Report

Nepal: Contemporary Political Scenario and Portents for Future

The Maoist-Madhesi ruling combination had indicated their preference for conducting fresh elections which was announced by PM Baburam Bhattarai (BRB) on May 27 during the process of dissolution of the Constitutional Assembly (CA). Following this, the BRB government forwarded two Ordinances to the President for amending the Constitution and holding fresh elections. Full Paper in pdf format is available here

October 26, 2012 Event Report

Nepal: Contemporary Political Scenario and Portents for Future

October 26, 2012 Event Report

Interaction with HE John Tucknott - UK’s Ambassador to Nepal

The Ambassador of United Kingdom to Nepal HE John Anthony Tucknott visited Vivekananda International Foundation on June 28, 2011 for an informal interaction on Nepal’s internal dynamics. The Ambassador interacted with a select panel of strategic and foreign policy experts which included, among others, Mr. Ajit Doval Director VIF, Ambassador Mr. Rajiv Sikri, Ambassador TCA Rangachari, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) RK Sawhney, Mr. CD Sahay, Brig (Retd.) Vinod Anand, Brig (Retd.) Arun Sahgal, and Dr. Sangeeta Thapliyal.

July 01, 2011 Event Report