Phanindra Nepal
1. Iran’s activities—such as closing the Strait of Hormuz and laying explosive mines in sea routes—are punishable. The U.S.–Israeli attacks against Iran should be intensified to forcibly prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed power. If this is not done promptly, the soaring price of petroleum will lead to extreme inflation, making it difficult for ordinary people to survive. If this situation worsens, a global economic recession will spread worldwide. On this issue, I stand with America and say without hesitation: “I am with America.”
2. The objective truth is that saying “I am with America” does not mean blindly following America. I have read some baseless comments from those who, if America announced free visas, would be crushed in the crowd just trying to get one. I have also seen people cry when the American embassy rejects their visa applications—some of them are now eager to criticize me. Those who doubt whether my commitment to Greater Nepal is genuine—I cannot tear open my chest like Hanuman to prove it to them. One swallow does not make a summer, but to those who keep rambling, I say again: “I am with America.”
3. Why did I say and write “I am with America”?
It is simply an expression of gratitude for America’s goodwill toward Nepal’s intact sovereignty. Saying I am with America does not mean becoming American. Supporting America does not mean opposing someone else. If one wants to oppose America, they should present rational and factual reasons. Opposing America just to show others is not justified. America has given many things to the world—so much so that it can be said it helped advance the march of civilization.
4. This clarification is only for my well-wishers, so they are not confused—wondering whether Phanindra Nepal is deviating from the Greater Nepal movement. A conscious citizen must understand that supporting America in a specific context is not blind support for all its policies. To see American sponsorship behind Greater Nepal simply because I support America is like seeing darkness at noon and claiming the sun has set. If someone thinks the American card can be used for Greater Nepal, there is no such indication at present—but in the global geopolitical landscape, it is not entirely impossible either. America, which gained independence from the United Kingdom, has a moral responsibility to support Nepal in reclaiming the land it lost under the Treaty of Sugauli (March 4, 1816).
5. Like other nationalists, I have always been concerned, angry, and outraged by India’s disregard for Nepal’s sovereignty. To preserve independence permanently, international support is essential and unavoidable.
For Nepal’s intact sovereignty, America played a leading role in securing Nepal’s membership in the United Nations in 1955. Because of this, Nepal was fortunate to gain recognition as an independent nation and become a UN member. I firmly believe that we must remain indebted to America for this favor forever. If Nepal had not obtained UN membership at that time, it could have become a protectorate of its ambitious neighbor India, or worse—its very existence might have been erased under the pretext that it was not recognized as an independent state. Given India’s known hostility toward Nepal today, one can easily imagine what it might have done then. It was America that saved us from such adverse circumstances. To ignore or undervalue this extraordinary contribution would be a great act of ingratitude.
@ The author is a campaigner for Greater Nepal and the founding chairman of the Greater Nepal Nationalist Front. The author can be contacted at phanindranepal@gmail.com
