Struggle against American Imperialism in Nepal

Nepal Communist Party (Mashal), General Secretary, Mohan Bikram Singh, 

The political situation in Nepal is highly critical. Previously, American imperialism carried out its policies in Nepal through various political parties, the Government of Nepal and India. However, the situation has changed somewhat. America has now entered Nepalese politics more directly. Firstly, it formed its own political party aiming to capture the whole of the parliament as well as state power in Nepal. Later, through the Gen-Z movement, it brought about significant political changes, ultimately leading to the formation of its own puppet government in Nepal.

In Venezuela, America used force in an attempt to remove President Maduro from power and ultimately to kidnap him. It also attacked Iran with the aim of replacing the existing government with a puppet regime through military intervention, although these attempts failed because of the heroic resistance of the people, army, and government of Iran. In contrast, America has succeeded by peaceful means or parliamentary elections to established its on puppet government in Nepal.

The former ruling political parties had adopted a largely pro-American tendency through their policies and actions, but this was not sufficient to fulfill America's strategic objectives. Due to its geopolitical location, Nepal holds great strategic importance. Nepal is a landlocked country situated between China and India.

At present, the contradictions between the USA and China are increasing from both economic and military perspectives. Therefore, America has adopted a long-term strategy to encircle China through neighboring Asian countries from the east to the south.

To fulfill this plan, America introduced the MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) under its Indo-Pacific Strategy. Since Nepal shares a border with Tibet, America has placed considerable emphasis on bringing Nepal into its strategic sphere. As a result, America pushed to pass the MCC through the Parliament of Nepal with the support of all major ruling political parties. Only the National People’s Front—the legal front of the NCP (Mashal)—and another Leftist organization, the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, voted in opposition. However, such support on the part of man political parties of Nepal was not sufficient for America because these traditional parties also maintained friendly relations with China and continued to support the One-China policy, recognizing Taiwan and Tibet as parts of China.

Against this background, America sought to establish a government that would fully follow its directives. This strategy was fulfilled by hijacking the Gen-Z movement and forming a puppet government in Nepal, thereby removing the former political parties from power.

To understand the present political situation in Nepal and the danger posed by American imperialism, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the Gen-Z movement. Outwardly, it was a genuine movement, which to place 8 months before in Nepal, mainly focused on opposing corruption and the government's restrictions on social media. It was largely spontaneous. However, another important aspect was that America, through its various agencies operating throughout the country, was allegedly working in a planned manner to weaken the established political administration and replace it with a government fully under the control of American imperialism. It was necessary to abolish the existing corrupted system of Nepal. However, what was problem that it took place in retrogressive from in a leadership of pro-American elements.

The Gen-Z movement provided a valuable opportunity for this American purpose. Through disguised agents, the movement was allegedly hijacked and used to fulfill imperialist objectives in Nepal. Initially, an interim government headed by a former Chief Justice was formed, and under its recommendation, Parliament was dissolved and a fresh parliamentary election was announced. In those elections, candidates supportive of American interests won an overwhelming majority, close to a two-thirds majority. Thus, America's objectives in Nepal were achieved through parliamentary means rather than military intervention.

Most of the elected candidates had no political background and were not trained ideologically or politically. Many of them were members of the Youth Council recruited by the American embassy in Nepal, which had been organizing youth in Nepal for years. Instead of traditional platforms, populist politics became highly successful. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, along with mobile communication networks, were extensively used to support pro-American elements in the election. Financial assistance backed by America also played a role in the elections. A large number of Nepalese living in the USA and other countries likewise supported candidates perceived as favorable to America.

Several factors contributed to this overwhelming victory of pro-American elements. The former ruling political parties, including both bourgeois and revisionist forces, had created widespread public dissatisfaction due to corruption and poor governance. Consequently, many people desired a change in the existing political system.

In such circumstances, Leftist parties and organizations should have stepped forward to lead the movement. However, many Leftist organization themselves had become corrupt or had deviated from Marxist-Leninist principles in one way or another, and were therefore unable to provide effective leadership. NCP (Mashal) has consistently emphasized mobilizing the people against retrogression, imperialism, corruption, and misrule. Unfortunately, although our party's political line was correct, we were organizationally not strong enough to effectively fulfill our responsibilities against the challenges created by American imperialism in Nepalese politics. As a result, American imperialism succeeded in achieving its objectives through the electoral process.

The social base of American influence in Nepal remains strong. Many democratic and revisionist parties or organizations have followed pro-American policies for a long time. Even after America allegedly intervened openly in Nepalese politics, these groups have shown hesitation in launching an open struggle against such influence.

A considerable number of educated individuals and intellectuals trained in America also tend to support American interests. Likewise, many Nepalese residing in America for education, employment or professional opportunities are, to varying degrees, inclined toward American influence. America holds significant influence among the new generation and intellectuals, and populism has spread widely across the country. During the elections, all these factors contributed to the overwhelming success of pro-American candidates and the formation of a government favorable to American interests.

In this context, united action against both domestic and foreign reactionary forces has become an urgent national necessity. Nepal has a long history of united movements. On many occasions, democratic and leftist forces have joined together. Most of these movements, however, have been directed primarily against domestic reactionary forces.

Because many political parties in Nepal lack a clear understanding of imperialism, united movements against imperialist influence have not been particularly successful. Although various Leftist parties have launched united struggles against imperialism, the tendencies of some of them toward compromise with royalist forces have often weakened such efforts.

Now that American influence is perceived to have become more open, and many Leftist and democratic parties and organizations have suffered electoral defeats and been removed from power, the possibility of broader united movements among these forces appears to be increasing to some extent.

The newly established government of Nepal has taken suppressive steps from the very beginning. Considering these actions, it is obvious that it will turn toward fascism in the coming days. The government has banned trade unions and student unions in colleges and universities, and has adopted suppressive measures against the press as well. The government has also taken heavy-handed steps against landless peasants by destroying their houses with bulldozers. Such policies are being applied nationwide. The government prefers to rule by ordinance rather than passing laws through parliament.

The prime minister is regularly absent from many important occasions in parliament and flatly declined to address the nation on Republic Day. The prime minister of the country had continuously addressed the public on Republic Day since the republican system was established in Nepal in 2008 AD. From various statements released by the prime minister, doubts have risen as to whether he is inclined toward restoring the monarchy by amending the constitution. The government is currently taking initiatives to amend the constitution while royalists are agitating to replace the republic with a monarchy, raising suspicions about whether the prime minister is cooperating with them in disguise. Thus, alongside the threat posed to nationality and sovereignty by imperialism, the danger of retrogression is very serious at present in Nepal. We regret that some Leftist organizations in Nepal are not taking this latter aspect seriously. However, the development of events will eventually make them understand this reality, and they will come forward in the struggle against retrogression as well.

The new government recently pushed parliament to pass an extradition treaty with India. Although India had been pressing Nepal to accept this treaty for decades, all former governments of Nepal had declined to sign it. Furthermore, the prime minister declared in parliament that alongside India's encroachment on Nepalese lines, Nepal has also encroached on Indian lines in many places. Such a statement does not align with reality. Consequently, members of all opposition political parties, the press, and citizens nationwide are opposing his irresponsible statements in parliament. Even India has not made those kinds of allegations against Nepal. It is a well-known fact that India has occupied the Kalapani area of Nepal for more than six decades and has conducted border encroachments in more than 80 places. The statement given by the prime minister weakens Nepal's position in demanding the withdrawal of the Indian army from the Kalapani area, including Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

It is certain that the role of America will cause great damage to Nepal, and therefore the Nepali people must wage a strong struggle against it. However, we also know that our struggle is not only a national issue; it is part of the international movement against imperialism and fascism. Therefore, we must strengthen our solidarity with all proletarian and revolutionary forces. It is only in this way that we can defeat world imperialism and defend our national interests too.

American imperialism has long been the main enemy of people worldwide. However, after Trump became the president of America, it turned toward fascism, imperialism became terrorist, and it became many times more dangerous to world peace than ever before.

Formerly, danger to the democracy or the republic in Nepal was seen only from the royalists, who were backed by Hindu fundamentalists in India. Now, however, the populist government also seems to be combining forces with the royalists, thus paving the way for retrogression. In Nepal, we have to fight against both imperialism and retrogression side by side.

China has also posed many threats to Nepal's nationality and sovereignty. Formerly, China was a socialist country, but it has later turned into an imperialist one. By collaborating with Indian imperialism, it has interfered with the nationality and geographical sovereignty of Nepal. It is a historically established fact that Kalapani, including Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, are parts of Nepal. This fact is also recognized by the Sugauli Treaty signed between Nepal and the British government in India. Although according to the treaty Nepal had to give up many territories—such as Darjeeling, Garhwal, Kumaon and some parts of UP—the treaty clearly mentions that the area up to the east of the Kali River, where Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are located, belongs to Nepal. Today, the Indian government claims the same area and has occupied it since its defeat in the Sino-Indian War of 1962 AD. Yet, without the consent of Nepal, China entered into a treaty with India, neglecting this reality, to establish Lipulekh as a trading pass between the two countries. Later, in its new official map, China did not show the Kalapani area as a part of Nepal. Needless to say, such a role by China was an unfriendly act and interference in the sovereignty of Nepal. From the very beginning, we have been criticizing China for this action.

Spite of such an undesirable role of China we maintain the view that China as a whole plays positive role to chick and balance in Nepal against the interference of Indian and American imperialism in Nepal. So, in this sense we give much importance of the friendly relationship of Nepal with China. The geographical location of China in North also has contributed much to defence Nepal from the intervention of India to Nepal. Both India and America are aware of this fact and, so they try their best to weaken the friendly relationship of Nepal with China.

As mentioned before, the struggle of the Nepali people against American imperialism and the occupation of Nepalese land by India east of the Kali River is not just a national issue for Nepal, but also a part of the international anti-imperialist movement. Therefore, we deserve the support of all Leftist and revolutionary forces of the world for our national anti-imperialist movement. Marxist-Leninist principles place heavy emphasis on internationalism, particularly proletarian internationalism. These ideas emphasize that Leftist and revolutionary forces in every country should support just and anti-imperialist movements worldwide, even if they have to struggle against the government of their own country. Such a spirit should not be influenced in any way by national chauvinism. We adopt this same policy toward every just and revolutionary movement in other countries, and similarly, we hope for the same principled behavior from other Leftist and revolutionary parties and organizations around the world.