A Year Since Gen-Z Uprising

Kathmandu, Sept 10: The incumbent government has initiated renewed efforts in expanding international relations and conducting diplomacy, focusing on expanding the country's diplomatic reach, prosperity, and good governance.

In doing so, the government has emphasized 'national interest'-centered diplomacy, where not only members of the cabinet but also high-ranking government officials can meet heads of foreign missions or diplomatic representatives without the Foreign Ministry's knowledge.

By fully adhering to the diplomatic code of conduct, the tradition of ambassadors meeting directly with the Prime Minister, ministers, and other high officials has been broken as in the past.

Such practices that were outside institutional memory have been ended.

Shisir Khanal, who took leadership of the Foreign Ministry last year and had also been the head of the Foreign Department of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has been proactive in making foreign policy effective.

He has also worked to advance the functions of ministries that are directly connected to the people in an impactful way.

There have been efforts to expand relations with neighboring countries, India and China, in a new way.

Foreign Minister Khanal made formal visits to both countries and clarified Nepal's perspective on the current government's priorities and renewed relations.

He also expressed Nepal's views on regional and international concerns, informing officials in India and China that Nepal's foreign policy is based on the principles of the UN Charter, non-alignment, Panchsheel, peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality, and mutual respect.

Situated between India and China, Nepal has been following a balanced, independent, and national interest-focused foreign policy while promoting friendly relations with both countries.

Additionally, the government has also been clearly expressing Nepal's foreign policy priorities to other friendly nations.

Bilateral and public interest related works in foreign affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the 'Passport (First Amendment) Act, 2026 Amendment Bill' for discussion in the House of Representatives according to the changed context on August 7.

Earlier on July 21, participation was made in the 14th meeting of the BIMSTEC Subgroup on Control of Financial Investment in Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing held in Shillong, India, and updates were provided on recent efforts to that end.

Also, participation was made in the 4th meeting of the BIMSTEC Tour Operator Network held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on July 22.

The Portuguese government was given consent to establish a consular office in Kathmandu.

During this period, the 3rd meeting of the Nepal–Australia Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was held in Kathmandu.

In this meeting, a review of all aspects of Nepal-Australia relations was made, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to work on the understandings reached to produce concrete results in mutual interest.

Similarly, the 4th meeting of the Nepal-Canada Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was held in Kathmandu on July 27.

Participation was ensured in the 15th meeting of the Nepal-India Flood and Inundation Management Joint Committee, held on August 2-7, and necessary coordination and facilitation for the meeting were provided.

Coordination was done with the Chinese side regarding cross-border river cooperation.

Similarly, in accordance with the implementation agreement of the Shijali Higher Secondary School project signed between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on September 25, 2023, coordination was done with the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu to mobilize additional Chinese government support for school building construction upon the request of the Ministry of Education and Sports.

During this period, coordination has been carried out for drafting, revising, and publishing messages such as thanks, welcomes, best wishes, congratulations, and condolences released through the social media X handles of the President and the Prime Minister.

In recent days, regular 'press briefings have been conducted regarding foreign relations and the main work of the ministry.

The ministry has issued Non-Resident Nepali identity cards as per received applications and recommended land purchases for Non-Resident Nepalis based on the applications received. Similarly, the Consular Service Department has taken prioritized action for document certification, rescue of Nepali citizens, and compensation for the injured or deceased.

Coordination and facilitation have been maintained with Nepali missions for the management of the bodies of Nepalis who have died abroad.

Passports have been effectively issued through the Passport Department, Nepali missions abroad, and district/local administration offices.

Besides informing and coordinating with diplomatic missions regarding disasters, the ministry on August 26 informed diplomatic missions and the media about the flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa.

Regarding the Bhotekoshi flood, Minister Khanal had briefed the heads and representatives of various diplomatic missions here on September 3.

He mentioned that the safety and welfare of foreign citizens is a high priority for the government.

He also provided information on how the disaster highlights the Himalayas' sensitivity, the special risks faced by mountainous countries, and the increasing impacts of rapidly warming mountains and climate.

He emphasized the need to implement previous commitments related to climate justice, effective early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and resilient reconstruction.

According to the ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri, the ministry organized informative meetings for diplomatic missions' representatives and regular press briefings for local and international media to provide updates on ongoing search, rescue, and relief efforts as well as foreign assistance.

The ministry has also closely coordinated with relevant agencies, Nepali diplomatic missions, and the families of missing foreign nationals.