Is it necessary to change Nepal’s foreign policy and values now or not? Is it necessary to make it a focal point in the coming days or not? Is it appropriate for Nepal to continue carrying the 240 years old foreign policy? These questions and challenges are now before us. The world after the Corona epidemic may not be the same as before. Global polarization, balance of power, trade policy and recognition, the interests and challenges of the power nations are sure to change a lot. Similarly, Nepal needs to keep itself in a state of readiness. What should Nepal do to protect its sovereignty and geographical integrity in the face of changing world conditions? It is very important to be prepared in this regard. In many periods of history, such problems have come up again and again in Nepal.
Nepal needs to keep itself in a state of readiness.
Nepal has already been struggling with such problems and situations.In this sense, Nepal is not a small and weak country in the world. Nepal played an important role in world diplomacy yesterday and still has many bases and possibilities to play. The role that Nepal has played in the world in a complex situation like World War I and War II has never been chosen. The Nepal Army has been playing an important role in establishing peace in the world even today under UN peace mission. Therefore, Nepal’s contribution is not small and weak. Worth to be proud of.
The visit of Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradip Gyawali to the US in 2018 and the meeting between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the US public’s view that Nepal will play a central role in its Indo-Pacific strategy. It is now clear that there is no doubt that Nepal has become a very important country in terms of strategic strategy between the two countries, which are vying to become two moving and future superpowers. There is no need to discuss this further. Now, the future of Nepal can be a matter of debate on how to move its strategic ground forward in a conscious and balanced manner. It is also very important. The classical policy that the United States attaches less importance to Nepal and views Nepal from an Indian point of view is completely wrong and timeless. In recent times, Russia has challenged the United States everywhere in the Middle East. US trade war with China. Growing friendship between India and Russia and purchase of air defense system. The trilateral relations between Russia, China and India, the balance of world power. The strategic importance of the world will not be seen in the coming days, but there will be great changes and turmoil in the diplomatic arena. Moreover, India-China border dispute is sure to bring. The conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations will not pose a threat to South Asia.
The trilateral relations between Russia, China and India, the balance of world power.
Being the strategic geography of Nepal. India and China are two emerging neighbors. On top of that, the trade war between the US and China has been escalating in recent times. The Corona virus has added to China’s bitterness and apprehension. The issue of Taiwan and Hong Kong has added to the problem. On the other hand, rising tensions in the South China Sea. Due to the bitter relations between China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries .There is no sign that Asia will remain stable in the coming days. The attitude of both India and China on trade and border disputes is not right. The new map released by Pakistan on August 4, 2020 is certain to further strain relations between India and Pakistan. The map released by Pakistan also includes Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Junagadh in Gujarat as part of Pakistan. Following this map, the overall situation in South Asia has now reached a critical juncture. This is sure to create more problems for peace in South Asia. Neighboring countries are very tense and apprehensive due to the growing power and misconduct of China and India.
The overall situation in South Asia has now reached a critical juncture.
This is not a good sign for the world. How can a small country defend its existence in the days to come if small countries are falling into the clutches of powerful countries? How can Nepal, which has got two huge and powerful neighbors, protect itself? This is a matter of concern and interest. It is sure to bring a new kind of destabilization to the world. There is also the possibility that the whole world may stand up against China over the issue of the corona virus. At such a time, Nepal’s foreign policy leaning towards China will not be fatal for the country? On the other hand, even if India and China do not like the additional importance given to Nepal by the United States and Nepal’s central role, if Nepal can maintain balanced diplomatic relations in the world, it will benefit Nepal. We also need to study our history and the world diplomacy that Nepal has played in the past. Nepal is one of the oldest six countries in the world. It is not uncommon for the then almighty Britain to seek and support Nepal in World Wars I and II, and for the United States to seek Nepal’s support. But if Nepal forgets the sensitive geography of Nepal and the security concerns of neighboring countries, it could be a suicidal move.
Each country thinks first for the benefit of its own country. Nepal should not allow its land to be used against both its neighbors ,but when Nepal thinks in its own interest . It is no longer in Nepal’s interest to worry more than necessary. Strong diplomatic relations with third countries are the main weapon that Nepal has been able to maintain despite being between two big countries. That is what Nepal did yesterday. Nepal can do it today and can do it tomorrow. Nepal still has that strength and power. Now, it is better for Nepal’s diplomats not to sit around arguing that the mother-in-law gets angry when the daughter-in-law goes to her mother. It is considered a skill to be able to move forward by formulating a national strategy according to the time and circumstances. There were two huge neighbors yesterday, there are today and there will be tomorrow. To this day, the south is enough to cross the border and destabilize Nepal. China also has nothing to do with Nepal except as a neighbor. Everyone looks after their own national interest first. It is not only necessary for Nepal to understand this, it is also important to put it into practice now. Not a single dollar out of the 1 billion pledged during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s first time visit to Nepal . It is no longer difficult for anyone to understand the neighborhood strategy. The country will develop itself. Neighbors do not come and develop Nepal. Therefore, it is better not to be overly optimistic about Nepal and its Nepali neighbors. It is important to have self-confidence and self-reliance.
China also has nothing to do with Nepal except as a neighbor.
On the other hand, it is not known when the unstable foreign policy of Nepal’s leftists will go. In foreign policy, it is not good for a country to be closer and for a country to be farther away. I think communism has collapsed from the world with the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is enough to study Russia before the disintegration of the then vast Soviet Union, which competed with the United States in arms and space travel. What was the shortage of basic consumer goods in Russia at that time? The shops were so empty. More than 20 percent of people could not afford to buy a cup of coffee. Therefore, it is not good to dream of communism in Nepal by forming an alliance .If it is a dream of a permanent government and development of the country, then it may be fine. But otherwise imaginary communism is a suicidal move for the country. This debate happens but it is really difficult. Another thing that Nepal needs to understand is that even though China is a communist country, it has practiced capitalism to the maximum inside, and even though it is a capitalist country outside the United States, it has been practicing the basic values of socialism inside the country. Therefore, it is important for Nepal too understand this in time. There is no justification for the Left Alliance if it is an alliance formed only to keep the empty power under its control in the long run. Why it is necessary to raise this issue here has had a direct and indirect effect on foreign policy. No matter which party comes to power, foreign policy must be united and unwavering.
After the map dispute, the citizenship bill and the Corona epidemic, it is difficult for Nepal-India relations to be as strong as before. Even if the relationship improves, there will never be an atmosphere of trust.KP Oli’s anti-India nationalism and the selfishness of the Nepali Congress are fatal for both the countries. This is not a balanced foreign policy. In the early days, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had put forward his foreign policy of being the neighbor first . The positive results of which were also beginning to be seen, but it is not necessary to look for another example of how far Modi has failed in the neighborhood policy. This is Narendra Modi’s biggest failure. What policy India adopts over Nepal has played a significant role in Nepal’s stability and development. Therefore, India is also a very important country and relationship for Nepal. In the coming days, how will Nepal participate in the US Asia-Pacific Strategy, India’s new regional organization and China’s One belt one rode Strategy? It is important to be clear about Nepal’s views and beliefs. If the interests, concerns and strategies of all the three powerful countries are in Nepal, then Nepal should not fail to adopt a timely and strong foreign policy by addressing those interests in its own interest. There is no denying that MCC is also involved in this.There are both challenges and opportunities for Nepal in the days to come.
It is important to be clear about Nepal’s views and beliefs.
In this changing world environment, new challenges and conflicts between power nations can no longer be ignored. How to secure one’s interests and needs in the new world environment is the next challenge and possibility. In the current context, no matter which party has the government, every word, strategy, commitment and diplomatic approach of the government must be clear and in line with the interests of the country. Doman, influenced from nowhere, unnecessarily stubborn and more ambitious than necessary, is not good to be in the diplomatic field of unstable Nepal. Flexible and unstable diplomacy makes it difficult for the country to move forward. International activities are also on the rise. As a result, the country is pushed towards a failed state. As foreign policy continues to be plagued by instability and a crisis of morality, ethical questions arise. According to the changing situation, it is necessary for the government to adopt a new foreign policy by understanding the national perception of 30 million Nepalis. No matter how worthy and clever every statement, working style, argument of the Government of Nepal is, it is always defeated in the debate of reality. The guidelines presented by the government are one-sided and inspired by childishness! It is difficult to go into the depths of diplomacy and explain everything in a short article, but the challenges and possibilities ahead are clear. At present, the government has not been able to move in the right direction due to the selfishness of two-thirds. This is the most complex question of how such a government can improve its foreign policy.
(Bikash Thapa is a freelance writer, Book Reviewer, poet, and songwriter)
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