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The Rediff Interview/Prof Bimal Prasad, former Indian ambassador to Nepal

'The tragedy won't affect Indo-Nepal relations'

Professor Bimal Prasad was India's ambassador to Nepal from January 1991 to January 1995. A former professor of South Asian studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, he is now the honorary director of the Rajendra Prasad Academy and an honorary fellow of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi.

Prof Prasad spoke to Sheela Bhatt about the latest crisis in Nepal. Excerpts:

What will be the diplomatic fallout of the tragedy?

I don't think there will be any serious fallout. Indo-Nepal relations are based on certain basic understandings. We share tradition, history, geography, economy and security. A change in the monarchy will not change things overnight.

The king of Nepal has no role in laying down policy. But he is not merely a figurehead. He is the head of the army and unlike us, the army reports to him.

Another important thing in Nepal is that the monarchy is quite popular. The common man thought King Birendra was a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. Therefore the king's opinion counted. No prime minister will ignore the king's views.

How did you find the late king?

He was thoughtful and kind. Very mature. He was interested in good relations with India. At the same time he was very particular about the sovereignty of Nepal. He was popular, even amongst the educated Nepalese. People admired his role during the 1990 movement for democracy. He was wise enough to gauge the mood of people. People wanted democracy. He didn't suppress them. He settled the issue by inviting leaders of the movement for talks.

In Nepal's history has there been such an event?

This is unexpected and unheard of. Yes, Shumsher Jung Bahadur, the Rana ruler, was killed by his enemies, not relatives, in the middle of the 19th century. That massacre in the palace is known as the 'Kot massacre'.

This incident has shocked me. I can't believe it.

There are reports suggesting that the crown prince wanted to marry Devyani Rana...

No. These are unconfirmed reports and I won't comment on them. But yes, I knew Devyani well. She is very beautiful. Usha Raje, her mother, is the sister of Madhavrao Scindia. Pashupati Shumsher Rana, her father, is a prominent figure in Nepal politics, very active and influential. He has been in power many times. I used to meet him frequently during my stay in Nepal. Because, he was a son-in-low of an Indian family, I was quite close to them. Devyani and her sisters are well-groomed and cultured girls.

How well did you know Crown Prince Dipendra?

He was director of the Centre for Economic Development and Administration at Tribhuvan University then. I wanted him to know more about India. On our request, he visited India for a week around 1994. He visited Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore. He was always glued to his computer. When I met him, he was doing his master's in geography. And later he enrolled for a doctorate.

He was impressed with India. I found him quite serious. He was not a loose-talker. I could never imagine him doing such things. His uncle Gyanendra also joined him on the trip. He came to look after the prince. Both had cordial relations.

Was there any resistance in the royal family to marrying a girl with Indian connections?

No. I don't think so. In fact such marriages are a tradition. King Tribhuvan had two Indian wives. His son Mahendra married a Nepalese girl of the Rana family. I don't think the fight was because of this.

The Rediff Interviews