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A national daily published a report on 21 March 2023, shedding light on the endeavors of women entrepreneurs from Mustang, who were venturing into digital marketing for the promotion and expansion of their businesses. It offered valuable insights into the current state of internet access in Nepal and women entrepreneurs’ growing interest in digital marketing for the expansion of their businesses through digital platforms. Talking with the author, many women entrepreneurs from various regions of the country shared that digital knowledge, skills in digital marketing, and the use of social media like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook are essential to run and sustain businesses in this day and age. The global impact of Covid-19 has created a new paradigm for digital entrepreneurship, and women entrepreneurs in Nepal have also found themselves riding this wave, utilizing digital platforms to market and promote their businesses. Various initiatives and organizations are working to support women digital entrepreneurs in Nepal. These include business incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship programs specifically designed for women. These programs provide mentorship, training, access to networks, and financial support to help women succeed in the digital realm. Tourism Entrepreneurs Women Association Nepal (TEWAN) and the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), with support from development partners, have been providing support to women entrepreneurs through ‘Digitalization of Women Entrepreneurs’ Businesses’. These organizations have been providing support, albeit on a piecemeal basis. Digital entrepreneurship has brought numerous benefits for women in Nepal by empowering them to overcome traditional barriers and participate actively in economic activities. Social media platforms have provided these entrepreneurs an opportunity to expand their market from their hometown to district, province, and to the Center. Using online marketplaces, they can reach customers beyond their local communities and expand their customer base. Digital entrepreneurship has brought flexibility in timing as well as the possibility to work from home, enabling women to balance their entrepreneurial pursuits with family responsibilities, creating a better work-life balance. Furthermore, it has encouraged women with small capital to start their own businesses, which has also brought innovation. In this way, women entrepreneurs can leverage affordable technology, such as smartphones and internet connectivity, to establish and run their ventures at a lower cost, reducing financial as well as entry barriers. In Nepal, digital entrepreneurship has provided an opportunity for women to develop skills, set up business networks and empower themselves. With women able to run their own businesses from home and make some money, their independence has gotten a boost. Considering these facts, the strategic use of digital entrepreneurship by women has a big potential in Nepal. Women digital entrepreneurship is not only a matter of concern for urban areas but also for villages. Increased access to the internet in Nepal has already provided a solid foundation for women entrepreneurship. Skill and support on the use of technology is important for promoting women digital entrepreneurs, as the entrepreneurs from Mustang have shown. Relevant government initiatives can be instrumental in promoting local products, utilizing local skills and giving the local economy a shot in the arm. Moreover, civil society and media advocacy for women digital entrepreneurs is crucial for creating an enabling environment for women's digital ventures and addressing the digital gender divide.

Much is at the stake for New Delhi and Washington as PM Modi kickstarts his historic three-day US visit today. India, as Foreign Minister S Jaishankar puts it, expects ‘significant outcomes’. The schedule, event, and laid out agenda  making PM Modi the first Indian prime minister to address the US Congress twice is emblematic of the “deep and close partnership” . Modi’s diaspora outreach on July 23, his fourth major address to the community since he came to power in 2014, is testament of the growing importance and economic and political stake of the Indian diaspora in American politics. The Indian diaspora that constitutes one percent of the US population contributes six percent to the nation’s total income tax. The importance of diaspora outreach like soft power diplomacy too was recognized under PM Modi’s stewardship in Indian foreign policy. India  has acknowledged the Indian diaspora’s crucial role in promoting the country’s image, fostering economic ties, and building political relationships. The China question Both sides have conceptual differences on the Indo-Pacific. The US takes the Indo-Pacific as a region where rules-based liberal international order needs to be preserved against the backdrop of China’s aggressive rise. In contrast, India considers the Indo-Pacific as an “inclusive” region and  has categorically stated that the QUAD is not directed against any one country. Hence as Senior Adviser to India Policy Studies Richard M Rossow puts it, both the United States and India need to spend time on their shared and different views of the Indo-Pacific. In the wake of the divergences, QUAD’s objective of bringing collective capacities to come up with solutions to real problems  in the Indo-Pacific has gained  traction. One of the important areas that India needs to draw attention of the US and other QUAD partners is the security of critical chokepoints and maritime highways of the Indian Ocean Region. India has so far stuck to its Non-Alignment values avoiding alliance partnership with external powers. The US as a strategic partner must take that into consideration. Critical defense partnership As both sides are preparing a ‘robust outcome document’, the external affairs ministry has said that a roadmap  for defense industrial cooperation is expected to be one of the key outcomes of PM Modi’s visit that comes amid the India-China tensions along the border. The multi-billion dollar deal likely to be announced after the Modi-Biden talks assumes significance as it gives America an opportunity to weaken India’s reliance on Russian weaponry. Moreover, the US  looks at India as a strong counterweight to China. A strong defense cooperation deal is bound to convey a strong message to China. Indo-US technology partnership Amidst the China-US semiconductor standoff, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US is likely to give a boost to the Indo-US technology partnership, especially on the establishment of a new semiconductor supply chain where major announcements are expected. Two months after the US Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act (a law that approves subsidies and tax breaks to help renewed indigenous production) in August 2022, the Joe Biden administration issued wide-ranging restrictions on the export to China of chips and chip-making technologies to undercut that country’s ability to manufacture the same class of integrated circuits. Amidst “healthy competition” between the US and China, as Janet Yellen would put it, India can expect to attract foreign investments and leverage it to achieve its “atma-nirbhar” (self-reliance) goal. India’s neighborhood In India’s neighborhood, an area that requires attention is the Af-Pak region. After the US withdrawal, China is emerging as a major player in Afghanistan that gives it access to the critical mineral reserves. Further, Pakistan and China have decided to go ahead with a plan to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. Apart from the issue of  China’s expanding sphere of influence, terrorism is an important challenge in the region that concerns both the US and India’s global commitment. In an important development, China on June 20th blocked a proposal by India and the US at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir, wanted for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, as a global terrorist. This case also highlights the need for India and the US to jointly address the common challenges in the region. Promoting global south Demonstrating India’s commitment to bridging the gap between the Global North and the Global South, PM Modi recently urged the G20 members to invite the African Union as a member during the upcoming summit. Given that the US is now adapting its foreign policy for expanding its footprint in the Global South, New Delhi can be Washington’s bridge.  During his visit to India in March, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Prime Minister Modi is right that there are real challenges to the multilateral system” indicating that there’s room for US-India consultations on new-age multilateralism. The way forward India and the US have common issues like climate and clean energy,  partnership for global good, and I2U2 that aims to forge cooperation and bring investment in areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security as fundamentals.  Forums like the US-India Commercial Dialogue and US-India CEO Forum should get activated to reinvigorate bilateral economic conversations. Overall, ensuring meaningful exchanges and discussion on shared strategic,  regional, bilateral and global challenges would ensure a stronger future for India-US relations. The author is a foreign policy analyst based in New Delhi

The implications of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s four-day visit to India will be known in due course of time.    Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised during the visit to take bilateral relations to Himalayan heights by resolving all pending issues with Nepal.  Now, however, India appears to be on a wait-and-watch mode. It will study how Dahal concludes his visit to China, as it is believed that the road to Beijing passes through New Delhi.  While Dahal is right in saying that his visit has reduced the trust deficit with India, the real picture will emerge gradually.   It seems PM Dahal visited India with a well-defined plan—with two goals in mind. The first was to formally take up all pending bilateral issues by incorporating inputs from several quarters. And second, the primary motive was to seek Indian cooperation for sharing hydropower for mutual interests to minimize a yawning trade deficit with India. Perhaps, after getting a green signal from India, he became impatient for his visit. Dahal wanted to get India’s commitments on hydropower sharing and various other matters like hydropower trade with Bangladesh through India. Some other agreements on enhancing transport connectivity for strengthening Nepal-India trade relationship were also on his wish-list . Dahal perhaps felt that the handover of two more lucrative hydropower projects (669 MW Lower Arun and 480 MW Phuket Karnali) will help the country overcome a serious economic crisis, knowing well the limitations of other natural resources like forests. So he went ahead, despite the recent handover of other vital projects—750-MW West Seti, 450-MW Seti River-6 and 900-MW Arun-3. Altogether, India now has projects with combined capacity of 3249 MW in its basket.  Against this backdrop, Dahal faces charges of compromising Nepal’s national interest.  But nobody questions as to why Nepal remains deprived of the benefits of hydropower for more than seven decades. This is one of the major factors keeping millions of people below the poverty line and forcing younger generations to toil in other countries for their bread and better.   He did raise long-pending and serious issues like border disputes knowing well that such issues cannot be solved at one go. Resolution of these problems requires long-lasting and cool deliberations between the two sides.  The Maoist supremo is known for his dynamism as he can turn his coat any time to suit his interests. Dahal and the then second-in-command of the Maoist party, Baburam Bhattarai, displayed their images of revolutionary leaders while taking the oath of office by presenting them in the western outfit (tie and suit). Dahal continued to wear this dress even during his second oath-taking ceremony and at all official functions.  However, while taking oath as the PM for the third time, Dahal had a change of dress.  He donned the official dress of Daura and Suruwal, perhaps to present himself in a hardcore patriotic avatar and show that he was no less patriotic than others. Looking back, he was ‘anti-India’ while taking up arms against the state in 1996, as most of the demands he submitted to the then government were against India.  However, he changed his mind together with his second-in-command Baburam Bhattarai and wrote to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office in 2003, pledging to cooperate with India. It will be no wonder if Dahal, one fine day, denounces the decade-long insurgency as the Maoist folly against the state in which around 17,000 people were killed.  Back to his recent visit. An agreement on the purchase of 10,000 MW of electricity was almost certain to materialize this time. A 25-year bilateral trade treaty was also supposed to become a reality. India was also expected to allow at least one air entry point to Nepal for incoming international flights.   But things did not unfold as planned. The 10,000-MW energy deal did not materialize in writing, though Modi made a commitment to this effect at the joint press conference.  While a 10-year trade treaty materialized instead of a 25-year one, Nepal got no additional air entry route.  The two sides agreed on completion and submission of a detailed project report of the Pancheshwar multipurpose project within three months. This project has been pending for several decades despite. Notably,  PM Modi had, during his first visit to Nepal in 2014, issued instructions for submission of the project’s DPR within three months. Any diplomacy has marginal benefits. It is the geography and cultural ties that bind two nations together. In our case, nature decided geographic proximity millions of years ago. We cannot make our rivers flow northward nor can we stop their flow. Perhaps, India wants to check whether Dahal had a change of mind or heart. Mind can change with change in circumstances but the heart does not. As things stand, India seems interested in having better relations with Nepal. We should also reciprocate with self-respect and in mutual interests.  

Corruption has long been a persistent challenge for Nepal, hindering progress, undermining development, and eroding public trust in the government. The scourge of corruption hampers good governance, weakens institutions, and perpetuates social and economic inequalities. However, amidst this grim reality, there have been favorable examples of individuals and initiatives working tirelessly to expose and combat corruption in Nepal. Corruption has infested various sectors of Nepali society, hindering good governance and impeding the nation’s advancement. In order to address this issue effectively, it is crucial to unmask corruption in Nepal and understand its profound impact on the country’s development trajectory. Transparency International Nepal: A beacon of integrity Transparency International Nepal (TIN) has been instrumental in exposing corruption and advocating for transparency and accountability in Nepal. TIN conducts research, monitors public institutions, and raises awareness about corruption-related issues. The organization’s relentless efforts have led to several high-profile investigations, resulting in the prosecution of corrupt individuals. TIN’s advocacy work and its initiatives to empower citizens have been crucial in unmasking corruption and promoting good governance at various levels. Rise of digital governance: Promoting transparency Nepal has embraced digital governance as a means to enhance transparency and reduce corruption. The use of online platforms for government services and public procurement has streamlined processes, minimized human interference, and reduced opportunities for corruption. The introduction of e-governance platforms, such as the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and the Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO), has created a more transparent and accountable system. These digital initiatives have significantly contributed to unmasking corruption and promoting good governance in Nepal. Social media activism: Citizen-led movements The rise of social media in Nepal has empowered citizens to voice their concerns and expose corruption. Numerous citizen-led movements, such as the ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign, have utilized social media platforms to raise awareness, share evidence of corruption, and demand accountability from the authorities. These grassroots movements have played a crucial role in unmasking corruption, mobilizing public support, and putting pressure on the government to take action against corrupt practices. Scope of corruption Corruption in Nepal is a multi-faceted problem, permeating both the public and private sectors. It manifests itself in various forms, such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, fraud, and abuse of power. From low-level bureaucratic corruption to high-level political corruption, the tentacles of this malpractice have deeply entrenched themselves in the fabric of Nepalese society. The lack of transparent processes, weak accountability mechanisms, and a culture of impunity contributes to the perpetuation of corruption in the country. Corruption poses a significant threat to good governance, a fundamental pillar of a functional democracy. It undermines the rule of law, distorts decision-making processes, and perpetuates social and economic inequalities. When public officials prioritize personal gain over the public interest, it erodes the trust between citizens and the government, leading to disillusionment and cynicism among the population.  Political corruption has also been a persistent problem in Nepal. The nexus between politicians and business interests, vote-buying, and the misuse of public funds are common manifestations of this malaise. Nepali politics, marred by factionalism and a lack of ethical standards, have allowed corruption to flourish. The capture of state institutions by powerful individuals or groups exacerbates the problem, preventing effective checks and balances.  Bureaucratic corruption, characterized by bribery and extortion, continues to undermine service delivery in Nepal. Citizens often encounter demands for illicit payments to access basic services, including healthcare, education, and justice. The lack of transparent procedures and accountability mechanisms within government offices perpetuates this culture of corruption.  Addressing corruption requires a comprehensive approach that includes legal reforms, institutional strengthening, and a cultural shift towards ethical conduct. Nepal has taken some steps to combat corruption, such as enacting laws and establishing anti-corruption bodies. However, more needs to be done to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of these measures.  Engaging citizens in the fight against corruption is vital. Promoting civic education and awareness campaigns can empower individuals to demand accountability from their elected representatives. The media also plays a crucial role in exposing corruption and holding the corrupt accountable.  Unmasking corruption in Nepal is a critical step toward achieving good governance and sustainable development. The fight against corruption requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, including citizens, government institutions, civil society organizations, and the international community.  The author is a student of law