Nepal's Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny Amidst Internal Strife and Diplomatic Missteps
Summary
Nepal’s foreign policy comes under sharp criticism in a commentary that blames Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government for diplomatic missteps, ambassador vacancies, and a weakened stance on the India border dispute. The piece also links the country’s internal turmoil and flood losses to a broader crisis of governance and state credibility.
Key Points
- The article says Nepal missed a major chance to rebuild its international standing after the Jenji rebellion and instead fell into diplomatic confusion.
- It criticizes Prime Minister Balen Shah for avoiding foreign visits, recalling ambassadors, and leaving embassies without leadership.
- The piece says Rabi Lamichhane’s high-profile visit to New Delhi exposed rivalry inside Nepal’s ruling camp and affected diplomatic optics.
- It argues that Balen Shah’s remarks in Parliament on Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh weakened Nepal’s position on the border dispute.
