Security Experts Argue Elections Alone Won't Guarantee Stability in Nepal

Kathmandu. Security experts from Nepal and India have stated that elections alone will not bring stability. Speaking at the 10th anniversary ceremony of the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement, experts analyzed Nepal's upcoming elections and the strategic narratives they might generate.

Arguing that elections alone do not guarantee stability, speakers noted that the elections are taking place amidst experienced nationalism, reformist youth leadership, rising new forces, and proponents of monarchy restoration. Citing examples of landlocked nations in Europe, they asserted that geography alone does not determine a nation's destiny.

Sanjay Jasjit Singh, former Director of the Indian Navy, stated that countries like Switzerland and Austria are 'landlocked by geography' only, but in South Asia, countries become landlocked by 'politics and security' as well. He emphasized the need to understand the difference between security cooperation and defense cooperation. He added that there can be no deeper security relationship than when the citizens of one country shed blood for the defense of another.

Singh discussed the importance of BIMSTEC, stating that Nepal's involvement holds great significance for the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean. He opined that distance should now be measured not just in kilometers but in 'time,' and connectivity is reducing that time.

Experts discussed the challenges of open borders, noting that a border longer than 1,000 kilometers cannot be secured by scanners or barbed wire alone. They pointed out that the increased trafficking of narcotics due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and the illegal opium trade from Afghanistan are putting the South Asian region at risk.

Security cooperation was defined as the 'backbone' of relations between two countries. Speakers also argued that Nepal's internal political fluctuations and elections alone will not provide strategic stability.

Citing examples of 9 landlocked nations in Europe (such as Switzerland and Austria), they stated that geography alone does not determine a nation's destiny. They noted that European countries are 'landlocked' by geography alone, but in South Asia, countries are more influenced by politics and security concerns. Experts concluded that while security cooperation is often linked only to defense, it is much broader than that.