Roti-Beti Relationships as Soft Power: Shaping the Role of the Madhesi Diaspora in Mediating Indo-Nepal Open Border Dispute

Abstract

Background: The open border between Nepal and India, historical social relations, and the family, marital, and cultural ties of the Madhesi community across the border have made the people-to-people relations between the two countries unique. In particular, understanding the “Roti-Beti relationship” as soft power provides a basis for establishing the Madhesi diaspora as a potential social mediator in the Nepal-India open border dispute.

Methods: This study has conducted a thematic analysis based entirely on secondary sources, adopting a qualitative and descriptive research design. For the research, the relationship between “Roti-Beti relationship”, soft power, Madhesi diaspora, open border, and mediation had been analyzed by reviewing academic articles, books, journals, policy documents, and related published materials.

Results: The findings show that the “Roti-Beti relationship” can build relational soft power through social trust, cultural proximity, reciprocity, and cross-border networks. The Madhesi diaspora can play a complementary role in the people-to-people diplomacy, confidence-building, dialogue facilitation, and the tension reduction rather than as a formal border resolver.

Conclusion: The Madhesi diaspora can be mobilized as responsible and the inclusive social mediators while respecting Nepal’s sovereignty and national interest.

Novelty: This study presents a unique perspective that analyzes the “bread-daughter relationship” by linking it to the soft power of the Madhesi diaspora and its potential mediating role in the Nepal-India open border dispute.