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The Jana Aandolan Diwas (People's Movement Day) is being observed today by organizing various programs.. The Jana Aandolan Diwas commemorates the day when democracy was restored in the country. 

Democracy was reinstated on April 8, 1990, ending the 30-year-old party-less Panchayat system of governance. This was the day that marked the end of the Panchayat system which was established by King Mahendra on December 15, 1960.

The Nepali Congress and the United Left Front had jointly launched a movement to end the Panchayat system under the former's leadership. This movement culminated in the overthrow of the party-less system paving the way for a multi-party democracy in the country.

The People's Movement under the commandership of Nepali Congress leader Ganesh Man Singh lasted for 50 days. The movement against the Panchayat system was launched on February 18, 1990, coinciding with the 39th anniversary of the establishment of democracy in the country with the abolition of the 103 years of autocratic rule by the Ranas.

On April 8, 1990, the then King Birendra, in an address to the nation, announced the restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal. Subsequently, the ban on political parties was lifted, and multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy reinstated.

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

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Nepal has demanded formation of a high-level judicial commission to impartially investigate the March 28 Tinkune incident.

The meeting of the central working committee of the party presided over by party Chairperson Kamal Thapa  today urged for such a commission, according to a press statement released by party's General-Secretary Rajaram Bartaula.

Furthermore, the meeting decided to press for immediate release of Rastriya Prajatantra Party's Vice-Chairperson Rabindra Mishra and General-Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana with the government, reads the statement.

The party also called for unity among all nationalists and democrats to safeguard their ideologies.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli discussed the demands and agitation of teachers with concerned ministers and secretaries today.

At a meeting convened at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singha Durbar, Prime Minister Oli emphasized resolving the problems relating to teachers through talks by carrying out more homework.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidhya Bhandari, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat were present in the meeting. 

Chief Secretary Ekanarayan Aryal and secretaries of the ministries concerned were also in the meeting, said the Secretariat. 

During the meeting, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology briefed the attendees of the meeting about the demands raised in the ongoing agitation in Kathmandu at the call of the Nepal Teachers' Federation, added the Secretariat. 

The meeting also discussed current economic conditions, the process of formulating the School Education Act as well as the demands that the government could immediately address among others.

Other issues that figured in the meeting was ensuring quality education, as per the Secretariat.