Interpreting Nepal’s Diplomacy

Watch it on NIICE Nepal YouTube Channel

Event Report

The webinar was organized by NIICE Nepal to bring together dynamic female experts in the traditionally male-dominated fields of diplomacy and public policy. Eminent female speakers who are ambassadors of Nepal were on the panel to talk about the current diplomatic endeavors of different diplomatic missions. The discussion centers on Nepal’s perspective on its relationships with various nations. The session included four women ambassadors and women in other prestigious positions serving as state officials.

The first speaker was H.E. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, the ambassador of Nepal to Oman, who delivered a succinct summary of Nepal’s relations with Oman. She recalled that the main reason for forging connections with Oman was to deal with the labor problems brought on by Nepali employees moving to Oman. She underlined the need of promoting commercial links between Nepal and the Sultanate of Oman, which could be done in a variety of contexts, including the economic, social, cultural, sporting, and tourist industries. In order to address the COVID issue in the nation, Nepal and Oman collaborated. She concluded by expressing her pride in being a woman and highlighting how crucial and advantageous the diplomatic climate is for women. To accomplish its objectives, Nepal must strategically employ its soft power.

Ambassador of Nepal to Japan, H.E. Prativa Rana, on the role of female ambassadors in diplomacy. She is the first female representative for Nepal in Japan. She talked about the challenges women encounter in the workplace, how they are determined to overcome those challenges, and how Nepalese women are being empowered. She put out great effort to construct a direct Airlink, which was officially opened in her presence, to enhance the connection between Nepal and Japan. Long-standing bilateral ties in a number of areas exist between Japan and Nepal. Japanese companies have invested there and granted scholarships to Nepali nationals. Each year, the prime minister of Japan conducts an event for female ambassadors where they talk about the developments in their various countries. An emphasis on climate change, hydropower, and tourism is at the heart of the two countries’ partnership. She was proud to highlight that woman’s empowerment is justified when they reach such high positions and can contribute to advancement.

H.E. Anjan Shakya, Nepal’s ambassador to Israel talked about Nepal-Israel Relations and stated that relations between the two countries are good. Israel’s medical assistance to Nepal is the cornerstone of bilateral relations. Following the 2015 earthquakes, Israel was the first nation to offer assistance to Nepal. People of Nepal and Israel want to visit each other’s countries because there is a natural affinity, according to the Nepali peacekeeping forces. The processing of visa waivers and direct air connections has begun. Due to a lack of industries in Nepal, there is little trade. As more books have been translated from Hebrew to Nepali and other languages, there has been an increase in the cultural exchange between Israel and Nepal. Many Nepalese immigrants can find work as caregivers in Israel. There is potential to grow, and infrastructure expansion is possible, but Nepal lacks the necessary resources. Both nations interact in various fields, including education, health, technology, disaster management, and emergency medical services.

H.E. Dawa Phuti Sherpa, the Nepalese ambassador to Spain talked Nepal-Spain Relations. She was deployed to Spain in 2019 and spent most of that time in lockdown, so she could not complete many projects. She shared her plans for the following initiatives: Aid and benefit the Nepali diaspora in Spain; Spread the word about Nepal in Spain; Economic diplomacy; Students and the education sector; Raise awareness about consular services. There are many opportunities and challenges with COVID, she said. Nepal needs long-term bilateral relations from various perspectives, including investment, to continue on the development path.

The Nepalese Embassy in Australia’s Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Durapada Sapkota, talked about Nepal-Australia Relations and opened her remarks by saying diplomacy is the first line of defense. She discussed diplomacy and how it affects international relations. Despite their geographical distance, Nepal and Australia enjoy strong diplomatic ties. Since trade is only nominal but has potential, it is urgent to concentrate on economic relations. The mechanism is currently expanding trade flow but has not yet been developed. Australia makes little investment in Nepal. She asserted that serving as a spokesperson for our nation will assist in obtaining the desired benefits because Australians have sympathy for the Nepalese. An effort is being made to launch a direct flight connection. Trekking and the culture of Nepal are its main draws. Between Australia and Nepal, the diaspora is advantageous. There is multiculturalism. Australia has 55,000 students enrolled as students, and mobilizing the diaspora can be beneficial. Another thing is promoting Nepal’s culture and utilizing soft power for a sizable market. The time has come to create something and release it to the market to attract customers.

Roshan Khanal, Under Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, North-East Asia Section, Nepal-Japan Relations: Nepal has received socio-economic development assistance from Japan. In 2019 we saw the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation to bring skilled workers from Nepal to Japan. As more Nepalese have become students, laborers, and other professionals, there has been increased engagement between Nepal and Japan. Japan participates in various socio-economic fields, including human resources, health, the development of infrastructure, and culture. It also offers grants, loans, and technical assistance. It also helped the nation’s democratic transition. Both nations have a shared culture and history because of Buddhism. She emphasized that Nepal has immense resources but cannot tap them due to a paucity of funds.

Challenges to Nepalese Foreign Policy, by Ms. Janaki Ojha, Second Secretary, Embassy of Nepal to the State of Kuwait: Enhancing national dignity, preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring Nepal and the Nepalese people’s economic prosperity are the cornerstones of Nepalese foreign policy. Mutual respect, non-interference in one another’s affairs, regard for one another’s affairs, non-aggressive dispute resolution, cooperation for the benefit of all parties involved, and unwavering belief in the U.N. charter are the fundamental principles. She discussed three topics. Security, immigration, and employment abroad. Migration remittances are the sweat dollars hard-earned by Nepalese people. Due to migration, skilled and semi-skilled workers are in the job market. We face challenges because so many people live in GCC countries. Acts exist that deal with migration, labor protection, and employment abroad. Good data management is a problem because many people who are vulnerable to human trafficking are not in the data. Protecting workers; rights and working conditions is essential because when people have positive experiences, word of mouth spreads like wildfire. Nepal is a landlocked nation that must strike a balance between China and India to prosper. Due to Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Nepal shall never be repressed by any other nation. To better meet the expanding needs and aspirations of the populace, Nepal must readjust to the shifting balance of power in the world and reorient and reformulate its foreign policy. Additionally, Nepal needs less aid and more foreign trade to become more self-sufficient in some areas. As it is aptly stated, helping someone by doing something for them is different from teaching them how to do something, enabling them to become independent.

Ms. Sujana Aryal, Foreign Service Officer, OPMCM, Health Diplomacy ( The sine qua non of Post-COVID-19 Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, and Science) Diplomats must work hard to negotiate solutions that will benefit everyone’s health. In addition to addressing the current global crisis, health diplomacy aims to win over the hearts and minds of foreign audiences. Soft power is also known as ”health diplomacy”. It fills the void between international political ties and international health assistance. Country-specific security concerns have changed as a result of COVID-19. National security includes health security and traditional security concepts in the modern world. We have had to change and acclimate to digital technologies due to COVID-19. Nepal should strive for regional cooperation because China and India, two of its neighbors, are developing nations from which Nepal can gain by receiving assistance in technical areas.

Ms. Chandika Pokhrel, Second Officer, Europe and America Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks about Economic Diplomacy and its Significance for promoting the national interest of Nepal. She emphasized the development of the global economic order as well as the rise of China and India in the 2000s. She discussed the various aspects of Nepal’s economic diplomacy, including tourism, foreign employment, culture, foreign direct investment, etc. Bilateral agreements, bilateral mechanisms, nation-specific rules, etc., are all examples of economic diplomacy. They discussed issues and tactics related to economic diplomacy. Concentrating on human capital is critical in boosting the nation’s economic prosperity. Nepal can concentrate on its comparative and competitive advantages over other nations. When engaging in economic diplomacy, one should put their interests first.

Prepared by Khyati Anand, Intern at NIICE, Nepal