Nepal’s foreign service is inadequate in substance and strength to face emerging challenges in the context of the fast-changing regional and international scenario. In fact, foreign service as such does not exist in Nepal in the true sense of the word because it does not enjoy administrative autonomy and other leeway essential for growing to its full size and enable it to serve the country as demanded by the situation. This vital service has remained ambassadorial assignment-centric from the time of the Rana regime. Genuine efforts to effect far-reaching improvements in this service have not yet been made to mould it as a self-sustaining engine for betterment.

Nepal’s current running of foreign service under “diplomatic category group” since 1993 has been a half-hearted attempt to make the service a separate entity. This provision has proved to be inadequate.

Recently, a recommendation has been submitted for reorganising the foreign ministry and revamping diplomatic missions in order to make them more achievement-oriented and responsive to the changing milieu. However, mere changes in format and structure are not sufficient. Unless the core system of functional modality, developing this service into a modern diplomatic machinery and enhancing professional capability are given attention, nothing concrete will come out to better guide the external policy. Efforts and energy towards targeted goals will not bring desirable improvements.

Nepal’s diplomacy has been festering with defects. Manning the top diplomatic jobs through political patronage, personal loyalty, and individual linkage has caused disappointment to the people who had joined the diplomatic service from the start of their career. This practice has caused a huge loss of money and experience. It is not appreciated anywhere either. Decision-makers have to be large-hearted with broader vision to minutely examine the problems. If the old practices characterised by the Third World ham-handed behaviour go the laissez-faire way, Nepal can hardly hope for the betterment of diplomatic service. We are apt to imitate the democracy of the first world. Then, why do we lag behind in promoting the democratic culture in all spheres of national life?

The government and foreign minister call for professionalism to grow and related skills to develop on a steadier scale. Critics normally point out the deficiencies inherent in Nepal’s diplomatic service. Those at the helm of power indeed realise these defects, but never make any concrete efforts to eliminate them. It is high time the incumbent government put things in the right perspective. Everyone knows that diplomacy, unless supported by material power and resources, would not be able to produce desired outcomes. Inherently, Nepal lacks both power and resources to conduct its diplomacy effectively. However, Nepal does not lack human resources and talents. It needs to produce experts on specific areas and in international bodies.

To conduct better diplomacy, we should identify persons with persuasive capability to gain larger successes on diplomatic front. To make a headway, diplomats with higher intelligence have to be equipped with various skills, techniques, tools, etc. to successfully cope with modern diplomatic intricacies and subtleties.

Among various diplomatic skills, negotiating skills at bilateral and multilateral levels and drafting skill for treaties, agreements, memoranda, etc. are taken as rare skills much needed for the practitioner of modern diplomacy. These skills need to be upgraded and sustained to the level comparable to that of other counterparts. These skills can be honed after a long practice and rich experience gained through continued working over the years. Just a stint at some place for some years can hardly bring the required degree of efficiency and effectiveness. These highly-valued skills must remain dominant in the personality of any working diplomat.

Unfortunately, Nepal does not have any known institute to impart the knowledge about the latest tools and techniques developed in various parts of the world to the working diplomats and also to the prospective ones. Nor does there exist any training institute of repute to provide training and refresher courses to keep diplomats well equipped. Training and courses taken abroad can hardly meet our requirement. Good institutes to fill in this void must come as a priority.

Nepal’s diplomatic service can become effective only if restructuring of the foreign ministry and missions is undertaken to make it a highly specialised branch of civil service. Skill-improving measures should be effectively put in place in a planned way. To effect the much-needed improvements, Nepal’s diplomatic activities have to be enriched with greater initiative, vigour, fresh dynamism and vibrancy. Truly, a new beginning for a brighter future can thus be made.

Shrestha is an ex-foreign ministry official