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Interesting that the guy identified himself as an Indian but hey, it's his personal choice. I understand how Nepalis in India integrate well into the social fabric there, evidence of our affinity. But I opine that the condescending nature in which certain bureaucratic structures of India...

That's basically the issue most Nepalis have. We don't see ourselves as Indians and want to engage in a mutually beneficial relationship as two separate states. Much has to do with our historical experiences, which are different from that of what became the state of India in 1947.

A very write up indeed but I think the issues in South Asia are so deeply entrenched that it will take time for attitudes to change and a more democratic political culture to institutionalize. India is definitely far ahead than the rest of South Asia in that regard. I have to admit that your...

I think it has more to do with the development of a specific type of political culture in Nepal that is laden with impunity. The government officials are not held accountable and thus, they are free to go on a splurging spree, earning millions of dollars (read DOLLARS, not Nepali Rupees) while...

There are a few of us here. :) Glad you liked the video!

Very late reply but most of the refugees are Bhutanese of Nepalese origin. In the 1980s, the royal government of Bhutan under King Jigme Singye Wangchuk attempted to clamp down on minority cultures and languages. When the Nepali speakers protested, they were driven out of Bhutan into exile in...

Please do. You can PM me anytime. :) Nepali ma lekhnu bhaye ni huncha.

x.x So true!

How about we stop building castles in the sky and come back to reality to discuss the issues that actually matter?

Hahhaa! Well, you should venture outside Kathmandu as you don't get the essence of Nepal in the cities. They're in the countryside! :)

Oh ok. You should pay a visit to Nepal. We're very welcoming! :) Since Nepal has so many ethnic groups, some are closer to the Indians, others closer to Tibetans and the rest tend to be isolated tribes with their own unique customs; we also have groups that are both Hindu AND Buddhist. It's...

Sikkim joined the Indian Union on the behest of the Nepali speaking population who wanted more recognition and rights. In no does the Nepalese government question India's sovereignty over the region. Nevertheless, we do share a common language, culture, and history with the majority population...

THIS! These are my exact thoughts! Trust me, Nepalis DO NOT have any aspirations to be part of India. Yes, we share a common heritage but our national identities are different due to divergent historical experiences. Nepal chose isolation until the 1950s and has no direct colonial experience. I...

Please, no. We're better off a secular state.

China and India's political dynamics will definitely be interesting to watch. I'm particularly interested in how that'll affect South Asia as a whole. The traditional role India has played in the region (bar Pakistan) as a subcontinental hegemon seems to no longer hold true. And I agree with...

Nah, I wouldn't be using casual convo on a forum for my paper! :D Just trying to get people's perspectives. I think as South Asians, we're still very parochial and indifferent to the politics in the region. Hmm. We live in interesting times, don't we? The power dynamics in Asia is a scary...

Let me add some nuance to this. Most of India's neighbors have experienced a rise in influence from China. What do you make of the increasing tensions in influence between India and China in South Asia? Regional power, yes. But with internal instability, wouldn't you agree that Pakistan is...

So, what are the implications of all that for the rest of South Asia?

Interesting perspective. I don't have a very in-depth knowledge on the Indian bureaucracy. It seems to be highly professionalized, as per your comment. Won't you speculate that with the majority in the Lower House, the BJP could influence foreign policy-making mechanisms ? Indeed. It can only...

I guess it was never meant to be. :/ so much potential together yet so many differences/fears to overcome.