KATHMANDU, JANUARY 18
While Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Foreign Minister NP Saud are representing Nepal at the 19th Non-Aligned Movement summit in Uganda, experts have argued that the prime ministerial level of visit is not necessary as NAM has been failing to prove its relevance. Former ambassador Vijay Kant Karn emphasized that NAM had constantly lost its relevancy as member countries are highly divided into sub-economic strata.
Furthermore, he stated that the non-aligned movement's leadership was dispersed, and he believed that the campaign's relevance was coming to an end, citing that there had been no timely change in the leadership.
"Thus, participation in the summit at the prime ministerial level was not required. As developing nations, we must decide what we hope to accomplish in exchange for this amount of investment and involvement," he said. "Just like neighboring countries have done in the past. Foreign Minister representation should have been sufficient to represent Nepal," he added.
Contrary to Ambassador Karn, Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies Nischal Nath Pandey stated that Nepal must be represented at all major international conferences, including NAM. "We must attend all significant international conferences. This is crucial for the national image," he said. "Moreover, NAM has gained renewed relevance due to the new Cold War between the US and Russia on the one hand, and the US and China on the other. Non-alignment is also enshrined in our constitution. Therefore, we must adhere to this provision until the current constitution is in effect.
Executive Director of the Centre of Nepal and Asian Studies Mrigendra Bahadur Karki stated that despite being repeatedly chastised for such actions, the PM's Cabinet seemed unwilling to change its ways. "Although NAM remains relevant for countries like Nepal in an increasingly polarized world, it was unnecessary for the prime minister to fly to the summit because Foreign Minister Saud was already there to represent Nepal," he said.
Leading a delegation from Nepal, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal departed for Uganda today morning to attend the 19th Non-Aligned Movement summit. PM Dahal boarded a Qatar Airways flight at 2:15 am.
The prime minister's daughter, senior government officials, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, and Minister of Foreign Affairs NP Saud are among the members of the Nepali delegation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier, Minister Saud reached Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and participated in a ministerial meeting. PM Dahal is scheduled to speak tomorrow at the plenary session of the summit, which will focus on the theme of "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence." Prior to departing for Uganda last evening, PM Dahal stated that the visit had great significance as Nepal's foreign policy is grounded in the non-alignment principle.
Taking to Facebook, PM Dahal said, "I think that, in terms of bolstering Nepal's foreign relations, bringing up and implementing Nepal's national interests and common issues, my speech on behalf of Nepal and the meetings and discussions with the heads of the state and government of the member states will be of strategic importance."
Additionally, it is stated that the 19th NAM summit will deliberate over the ministerial report, assess how well the 18th NAM summit is being implemented, and adopt a Kampala declaration. Since NAM's founding, Nepal has actively participated in its summits and is one of its founding members.
One of the core foreign principles of Nepal is non-alignment. NAM was established in 1961.
PM Dahal will return home on January 21.
