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Nepal and the United Kingdom—then represented by the British East India Company—established diplomatic relations in 1816, marking the beginning of Nepal’s formal international diplomacy. Since then, from the 19th to the 21st century, Nepal has expanded its diplomatic ties to 183 countries. Additionally, Nepal is a member of major multilateral institutions like the United Nations, as well as regional organizations such as SAARC and BIMSTEC.

Nepal also played a notable role in the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War. However, it is unfortunate that Nepal continues to primarily focus on its two large neighbors—India and China—and global powers like the United States. While Kathmandu has reached out to establish diplomatic relations with many other nations, such relations remain symbolic if they are limited to signed agreements without meaningful cooperation or engagement.

Nepal has the potential to enhance its diplomatic outreach and diversify its foreign policy for the benefit of the nation and its people—but it has seldom done so. For instance, although Nepal and Thailand established diplomatic relations on 30 Nov 1959, there were no high-level visits exchanged between the two countries for decades.

In the first week of April, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made the first official visit by a Nepali prime minister to Thailand, coinciding with the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The visit served two purposes: to mark the first high-level Nepali visit to Thailand and to participate in the regional summit.

Prime Minister Oli was warmly received at Suvarnabhumi Airport by Thai officials. He later met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, where both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations. They emphasized enhancing cooperation in trade, tourism, investment, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels.

During the visit, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in cultural and tourism cooperation. Additionally, private sector representatives from both countries signed six MoUs to boost collaboration in areas such as trade, agriculture, health, and education.

Interestingly, Nepal is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, while over 90 percent of Thai people practice Buddhism. Thailand is also one of the top destinations for Nepali tourists. Yet, despite these strong cultural and religious links, the two countries have largely overlooked each other in the past. Notably, while Nepal previously enjoyed visa-on-arrival facilities in Thailand, today, ordinary Nepali citizens are required to obtain visas in advance.

Geographically, Nepal and Thailand are relatively close—Nepal being a South Asian country and Thailand part of Southeast Asia—yet their bilateral relations have remained modest. Despite both countries joining BIMSTEC, a regional organization connecting South and Southeast Asia, interactions at the highest levels have been limited. Prime Minister Oli’s visit and his invitation to the Thai Prime Minister for a return visit signal a renewed effort to change that. A forthcoming visit from the Thai leader would mark another important milestone.

As two medium-sized powers with deep cultural and tourism ties, Nepal and Thailand should work more closely together—not only bilaterally but also in regional and global forums—as pledged by their prime ministers.

In today’s world of multipolarity, ongoing wars, climate challenges, and shifting alliances, it is essential for Nepal and Thailand to support one another. Overdependence on a few powerful nations can leave smaller countries vulnerable. Nepal, with diplomatic ties to 183 nations, must think more strategically. It should prioritize and diversify its international engagements—across economy, trade, culture, tourism, and more—to effectively serve its national interests.

Panday is a foreign affairs journalist based in Kathmandu