The government is tightening the oversight of foreigners staying in Nepal. Since Nepal first threw open its doors for outsiders after the 1950 democratic change, the country has been welcoming visitors from all over the world, who have come for different purposes. Back in the 1950s the CIA famously airlifted Khampa rebels from Mustang into Tibet in order to wage a guerilla war against the communist China. 

 

Besides being a popular tourist destination, the government suspects, Nepal has also become a hub for human and drugs trafficking, espionage and other criminal activities. With over one million foreigners expected to visit Nepal annually in the near future, the Home Ministry says it had no option but to tighten immigration rules, and hence the new Foreign Citizens Monitoring Guidelines. Or, just as likely, there has been subtle pressure from India and China to curb the activities of Westerners.

 

Two Israelis were recently banned from entering Nepal for five years after they tried to enter the country on fake passports. The Department of Immigration also informs that three Iranians are in its custody for a similar offense while another Iranian was denied entry on July 3. Likewise, a couple of North Koreans were deported last week after they tried to enter Nepal without visa. So perhaps beside some geopolitical compulsions there is also a genuine security threat. But it could as easily be a populist move: which patriotic Nepali can argue against safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity?  

 

 

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