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As Nepal prepares for its March 5 parliamentary elections, both the United States and China have recalled their ambassadors from Kathmandu. 

Chinese Ambassador Chen Song is returning to Beijing this week, marking the end of his tenure as China’s 22nd ambassador to Nepal. Chen assumed office on January 8, 2023, during a period of active engagement between Kathmandu and Beijing, particularly in areas of infrastructure development, connectivity, and political cooperation.

Before his departure, Ambassador Chen paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Sushila Karkiand other senior government officials. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu hosted a farewell reception on Sunday, December 21, in his honor.

In his farewell remarks, Ambassador Chen said he had developed a deep emotional connection with Nepal and its people during his posting. “Before I came to Nepal, I was a supporter of China–Nepal relations. Three years later, I can proudly say that I have become a lifelong friend of the Nepalese and Chinese people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the United States has also recalled its ambassador to Nepal, as part of a broader reshuffling of U.S. diplomatic personnel under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy framework. According to the Associated Press, nearly 30 career diplomats have been recalled from ambassadorial and senior embassy posts worldwide as Washington seeks to realign its diplomatic corps with the administration’s priorities.

Africa has been the most affected region, with ambassadors recalled from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda, according to Politico. The Asia-Pacific region follows, with diplomatic changes affecting six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Additional recalls have taken place in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.

In South Asia, both Nepal and Sri Lanka are among the countries affected by the U.S. diplomatic changes. The U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, Ambassador Thompson, arrived in Kathmandu in 2022. Prior to his posting, he served as Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, where he oversaw U.S. policy toward the region. A member of the Senior Foreign Service, he has more than 25 years of experience in U.S. diplomacy.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held a meeting at the latter’s residence in Maharajgunj on Monday.

During the meeting, they discussed contemporary political issues, current situation of the country, and mutual cooperation, it has been learnt.

UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel was also present in the meeting. 

The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts as it moves to reshape the U.S. diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of President Donald Trump’s “America First” priorities, according to Associate Press. 

Africa is the continent most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda, according to Politico. 

Second is the Asia-Pacific region, with ambassadorial changes coming to six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam affected.

Four countries in Europe (Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia) are affected; as are two each in the Middle East (Algeria and Egypt); South Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka); and the western hemisphere (Guatemala and Suriname), according to Politico. 

Police have arrested some of the members of the Miraj Dhungana group, who had reached Maitighar to mount pressure on the government. 

The Kathmandu District Administration had not allowed the group to stage a demonstration in Kathmandu.

Dhungana’s group on Monday morning had reached the District Administration Office, Kathmandu to take permission to stage a protest in Kathmandu.

The administration, however, did not grant permission to the group.

The group has announced a nationwide protest today, demanding the formation of an all-party government.