Our agendas at UNGA
The participation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) holds special significance for our nation. His participation underscores the importance of our leaders engaging on the international stage, enabling our voices to be heard.
During this UNGA session, it is essential for us to highlight our active involvement in peacekeeping missions and reaffirm our dedication to strengthening the United Nations. We should emphasize the need for increased opportunities for our country, as our contributions have not been proportionally reciprocated.
In this international forum, we must advocate for the maintenance of peace through dialogue, aligning with the UN’s shared objective. Additionally, we should place greater emphasis on our non-aligned movement.
Furthermore, we should advocate on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). Our commitment to addressing climate change should be highlighted, emphasizing our leadership's engagement in global trends and discourse.
The author is a Professor of International Relations
Forge national consensus on foreign policy
In a multiparty democracy, even if there are differences among the parties on other issues, let us establish the tradition of maintaining national consensus on foreign relations and foreign policy and always follow it. No one should make an open or opaque agreement with any foreign power against national interest for political parties, factions and private interests. In the context of a new Cold War (or Hot War?) unfolding with Asia at the center, Nepal should pay attention to its unique geo-strategic location.
On one hand, we have to end the traditional dominance of some entity and maintain our complete independence/sovereignty/geographical integrity. On the other, we have to prevent our fall into the abyss. With regard to PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to China, emphasis should be on implementation of previous agreements and quick construction of physical and other infrastructure that will connect Nepal with China’s vast market.
The author is a former prime minister
G20 and ‘Bharat’
India’s PM Narendra Modi, while addressing world leaders at the G20 meeting in New Delhi, frequently used the word ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’ and reiterated a 2,500-year history of his country in Sanskrit.
The podium he was taking to welcome foreign delegates, too, was decked as ‘Bharat’, with a symbolic ‘Lotus’—Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s election symbol—displayed around the summit venue. The unprecedented branding of ‘Bharat’ along with ‘Hindu civilization’ could help set a nationalistic agenda for the ruling BJP in upcoming general elections.
Latest developments like India’s emergence as a ‘Space power’, its soft tone at the recent BRICS summit, and successful execution of G20 Summit could result in a great strategic advantage to India to rise as a prominent power on the world stage.
A moot question is: How will India balance ties with China, Russia, the US, and various multilateral associations, including QUAD, IPS and BRICS?
The author is a geostrategic thinker
TJ is a matter of national interest
Transitional justice is not an issue of a particular party; it is a national issue. Hence, all political parties and stakeholders should take ownership of it.
This time, the prime minister also appears in favor of resolving this issue, which is positive. The justice process should be concluded soon and then only the peace process will complete.
The transitional justice process should adhere to international protocols, Supreme Court verdicts and the Comprehensive Peace Accord. Violators of human rights should be prosecuted and justice delivered to victims.
Nepal Center for Security Governance, a think tank established for research, analysis, publication and applied operation in the area of security governance, has drafted a report on the basis of discussions with experts. The report has concluded that the justice process should be taken to a logical conclusion by following all protocols. We will submit our report to the PM and the Speaker soon.
The author is Executive Director at Nepal Center for Security Governance
