The CPN-Maoist which will soon be joining the interim government has voiced its commitment to pursue Nepal’s foreign policy based on the Panchsheel or the five principles of peaceful co-existence, while maintaining equidistance from both India and China. At an interaction organised by the Nepal Council of World Affairs on Nepal’s foreign policy in the changing context, political leaders representing five parties, a Maoist leader and a former diplomat expressed views and shared their experiences in foreign policy. Since the promotion of national interest — which includes safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity — is the basis of the country’s foreign policy, all of them emphasised the need to arrive at a national consensus on the issues.

No country conducts its foreign policy in a vacuum. Its formulation is influenced and shaped by geo-political compulsions, the changing dynamics of international relations and the cultural background, historical legacy and socio-economic conditions of the countries concerned. The 1990 Constitution lays down the parameters of Nepal’s foreign policy as stipulated in the UN Charter: the principles of nonalignment, the Panchsheel or the five principles of peaceful co-existence, respect for international law and world peace. While the validity of these principles is unquestioned, the political leaders underscored the need to review the instruments and strategies of foreign policy and revitalise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nepal’s foreign policy in the last five decades and a half, as some of the speakers pointed out, has had its successes and failures. Diversifying its external relations, Nepal has established diplomatic relations with more than 115 countries. It joined the United Nations in 1955, twice won the non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, became a founding member of the Non-aligned Movement in 1961 and has been participating in UN peacekeeping operations in the last 50 years. Some, however, alleged that the country’s foreign policy had been used by the ruling elites to play off one country against the other. Besides, foreign policy was also used to serve the interests of a few rather than to speed up the development process.

A sitting member of the SPA-led government said that Nepal could no longer bask in the glory of its traditional foreign policy which had been practiced since its independent existence as a nation state over two centuries ago. He affirmed that Nepal must face new realities of globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation. While foreign policy aims to promote national interests, the minister further suggested, its strategic focus should be on modernising the economy. Nepal will project a much brighter image if it exists as a prosperous country that has embraced liberal democracy and core values like human rights, constitutionalism and the rule of law. In a fiercely competitive world, Nepal has to strengthen its institutional capability and utilise its able brains. In order to emerge as a fast growing nation Nepal also needs goodwill, understanding and co-operation of its friends, particularly its immediate neighbours.

The issue of Bhutanese refugees and the country’s humiliating defeat in its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UNSC figured prominently in the debate. Both these issues were cited as instances of failure of Nepal’s foreign policy. Bhutan continues to dither on refugee repatriation even after 15 rounds of bilateral talks. This problem has been erroneously treated as a bilateral issue. Nepal had only given asylum to the refugees on a humanitarian basis. Some also expressed their misgivings over the latest American offer to resettle 60,000 refugees in the US as it might encourage the Thimpu government to carry out its policy of ethnic cleansing more aggressively.

As regards Nepal’s UNSC bid, it was pointed out that prior consultations with major powers like the US, the UK and France as well as her immediate neighbours could have induced Nepal to withdraw from the race and avoid the pangs of defeat. The Maoist leader strongly criticised the government’s failure to review Nepal’s candidature in the changed context. In brief, it was a diplomatic failure.

But most speakers welcomed the post-Jana Andolan II phase as an opportunity to renew, develop and expand the country’s international relations and benefit from the soaring economic growth of India and China. Conduct of foreign policy requires as much transparency and accountability as that of the domestic policy. It is equally essential to take people into confidence and involve them in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy. Since the traditional mode of diplomacy has proved inadequate, there was a consensus that Nepal must reorient its foreign policy and pursue economic diplomacy in the national interest, in keeping with the aspirations of the people and in response to the challenges and opportunities of the new century.

Dr. Lohani is an ex-envoy to Bangladesh