Nepal’s Foreign Service is not yet on track in a sense that every other country is miles ahead in the field. As a consequence, Nepal is frequently haunted by self- styled diplomats who lack even the basic requirements to conduct diplomacy. This has naturally led to a situation in which the people ranging from politicians, retired civil servants, old-aged academicians and professionals and government officials aspire to get appointments as ambassadors and envoys. Career background and suitability are hardly considered. Until now, Foreign Service has been in an amorphous state with no serious concern being shown to take it to the standard of the 21st century.

As a country that has just emerged from a long-drawn conflict, Nepal should consider playing a visible role in the international arena in order to trace its path for smooth external journey. Nepal, at this moment, ought to be producing diplomats with capability and knowledge to handle bilateral relations with our neighbours as well as other friendly countries in the context of the fast-changing international scenario. The country needs able diplomats endowed with capabilities to understand the regional integration process and forge ahead in our region and beyond so as to gain greater benefits for Nepal. To date, Nepal has trailed far behind in producing diplomatic talents who can contribute in international organisations and

world bodies. Nepali diplomats are yet to show their capabilities in regional diplomacy and global institutions. No definite improvement can be seen in our dealings with friendly countries either, despite having received increasing support and sympathies from them.

What matters most is how to make Foreign Service self-motivated to face the emerging challenges, overcome difficulties and tackle problems with confidence and equanimity. A self-sustaining and autonomous administrative mechanism needs to be set up in the foreign ministry. In order to realise this dream, a well-organised Foreign Service must be created. However, the passing of the Foreign Service Act is not the be-all and end- all. Unless other important elements and essential ingredients reinforce the Act, it would not do any good except create arrogant civil servants. It would only do more harm.

Institutional provisions for augmenting professional skills and capabilities should be devised to make the service more effective and self-directing, as is the demand of the prevailing external situation. Of foremost importance is enhancement of communicative skills of our diplomats. But merely possessing communicative skills will not improve things much unless these are backed by the required diplomatic panache and ability to deal with subtleties in relevant places and organisations.

Language skills are of high importance. But these must be reinforced by negotiating skills, which can only be attained through continued exercise and experience. On all these counts, diplomatic skills are among the rarest qualities. The other important quality a diplomat needs is the capability to draft bilateral and multilateral treaties, agreements and memorandums. The possession of this capability would give the concerned diplomat an added value and makes him a nearly indispensable person.

Considering Nepal’s place in the international comity of nations at present and for the foreseeable future, a Nepali diplomat must be an affable character with persuasive capabilities to solicit and convince his counterparts and the other related people to toe his line in order to accomplish the goals of the country he represents. This quality would be of immense value when viewed in the context of Nepal’s dire need to win friends and well-wishers abroad. Finally, a flair for public diplomacy is also considered as one of the requisites to mingling with people and related organisations abroad with a view to winning their hearts and minds. This will help generate good views on Nepal. This aspect of diplomacy is essential in an age of democracy and people’s supremacy.

However, a big question before the decision-makers is how to invent appropriate mechanisms for diplomacy. A structural change in the foreign ministry is highly warranted in order to capture the attention of young and fresh graduates, rich in talents and energetic in activities. They should see the great scope and future opportunities that are open before a diplomat. New recruits with above-mentioned qualities should be selected to represent Nepal if our foreign service is to make its mark in the international arena.

Similarly, the need of a good training institute that will equip Nepali diplomats with knowledge and modern techniques of diplomacy has also been felt. Those at the helm must concentrate on these aspects. Could they take the initiative and act at this crucial juncture of political transformation?

Shrestha is ex-foreign ministry official