Kathmandu, April 14: Nepal is adopting a ‘country first’ foreign policy trend, similar to many nations around the globe. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s new government unveiled plans for a ‘Nepal First’ policy.
The government stated that the principle of ‘Nepal First, Nepali First’ will be central to its diplomatic priorities. This was highlighted in the draft of the National Commitment Paper, shared among six parties that gained national recognition in the March 5 elections. These parties include the National Independent Party, Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Nepali Communist Party, National Democracy Party, and the Labor Culture Party.
This draft is part of the new government’s 100-point governance reform agenda, released after Balendra Shah took office on March 27.
According to the proposal, Nepal will adopt a policy of “equal distance and equal closeness” with all countries. The rationale is that military alliances, arms races, and wars are detrimental to global peace.
Nepal’s relationship with India is deep and multifaceted, influenced by geography, culture, and religion, with both countries being predominantly Hindu.
The nation aims to pursue a “balanced and dynamic diplomacy” to transform the changing global political landscape into opportunities for development. It will prioritize its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests.
The government also stated that Nepal will leverage the rise of powerful neighboring countries and changing global conditions to accelerate economic growth, increase investment, and strengthen regional cooperation.
Under this policy, Nepal will maintain its traditional non-aligned stance while adopting a practical, flexible, and results-oriented diplomacy.
The government proposed that Nepal should not be viewed merely as a “buffer state” caught between two major countries, but rather as an “active bridge.”
Historically, Nepal has been seen as a buffer state between India and China.
Now, the government’s goal is to advance its national interests through trilateral economic partnerships and regional connectivity, establishing Nepal as an independent, neutral, and non-aligned nation on the global stage.
While specific countries are not directly named in this plan, it is widely understood that Nepal, India, and China are included.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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