Rupak Sapkota has just ended his tenure as the Deputy Executive Director at Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA). A Phd in International Relations from Renmin University of China, Sapkota is among Nepal’s most-promising young foreign policy experts with a specialization in security and geopolitical studies. Pratik Ghimire of ApEx talked to him about Nepal’s changing foreign policy picture.

What are the key foreign policy challenges for Nepal?

The rise of China as a strong power center and its competition with the US, which had alone dominated world affairs for decades, has changed global geopolitics. As the US proposes different strategies to continue its dominance, a new cold war is simmering between these two giants. For Nepal, China’s immediate neighbor, this cold war will pose many challenges.

China and India currently have a war-like situation at their border. Further, India has embraced close ties with the US, and together, they have formed geopolitical alliances and strategies such as the IPS (Indo-pacific Strategy) and QUAD, both of which seem directed against China. It will be immensely challenging for Nepal to stay out of all this.

Should Nepal then review its non-aligned foreign policy accordingly?

Nepal’s non-aligned foreign policy was a result of the Cold War between the US and the USSR. And the policy has been with us for almost seven decades. I won’t say it has lost its relevance, but it is certainly not enough. To meet the challenges posed by current world politics and our ambitions for development, a non-aligned foreign policy alone does not sufficiently address our priorities. So, while continuing our nonalignment, we must also look to preserve, promote, and expand our strategic autonomy.

How do you see the ‘MCC vs BRI’ debate in Nepal?

Both the ideas were viewed with the economic lens early on, but later, with great geopolitical shifts, both were heavily politicized. Because of this, we have failed to make a headway on either.

Also, small states like Nepal are more cautious on their foreign policy, diplomacy, and security. So, to settle this ‘MCC vs BRI’ debate, political leaders and experts should convince the public about both, and future decisions must keep public interest at heart.

You suggested a recalibration of Nepal’s foreign policy. How do you do that?

By endorsing and updating our non-aligned foreign policy and the principles of Panchsheel, we can enhance our relations with other countries to gain strategic autonomy and achieve economic development. And most importantly, every diplomatic approach must prioritize our wellbeing amid the climate crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. We must stay away from any military- and security-related projects and alignments. 

In 1970, Nepal proposed to declare itself a ‘zone of peace’. Do you think we should give it another go?

In the present geopolitical context, declaring the country a ‘zone of peace’ alone won’t mitigate our foreign policy threats. Along with it, this is the time to endorse a neutralist policy because we might witness a confrontation between our neighboring countries soon and, during those times, we will have to make our stance clear.