Opinion | Nepal’s problematic foreign policy: Symbols without substance
Summary
Nepal’s foreign policy is portrayed as driven by symbolism, domestic blame games, and inconsistent strategies rather than substance. The article argues that Kathmandu’s relations with China and India remain constrained by geography, history, and competing regional interests.
Key Points
- Nepali politicians have repeatedly used foreign policy as a tool for domestic mobilization and blame-shifting instead of strategic planning.
- The article says concepts like equidistance, land-linked status, and strategic autonomy have little practical value in Nepal’s current geopolitical reality.
- Nepal’s relations with China and India are described as structurally unequal and heavily shaped by geography, Tibet, border disputes, and regional power politics.
- The current Balendra Shah-led government is criticized for creating trust deficits in Nepal’s China and India policies.
