Opinion | Nepal’s 250-year-old foreign policy still works. Why does no one use it?
Summary
Nepal’s 250-year-old Yam Doctrine is still presented as a guide for balancing relations with India and China, but the country’s diplomacy has been weakened by informal channels and political instability. The article calls for a stronger Foreign Ministry and a proactive, transparent foreign policy based on economic diplomacy and regional connectivity.
Key Points
- Nepal’s traditional Yam Doctrine emphasized balancing relations with powerful neighbours while protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- The article says successive governments have undermined foreign policy by relying on informal channels and reacting to events instead of following a consistent strategy.
- It urges the Foreign Ministry to become the sole channel for diplomacy and calls for a written foreign policy framework approved by Parliament.
- The piece argues Nepal should use economic diplomacy, regional connectivity and multilateral forums such as BIMSTEC, BBIN and the UN more effectively.
