But this is easier said than done. Foreign policy analyst Geja Sharma Wagle says the new government should not tilt toward one neighbor and disregard the other.
“There are a host of issues including border disputes with both countries that need addressing. For this, an environment of trust is crucial.” In Wagle’s reading, China, while extending its congratulatory message to Dahal on his appointment, has given a clear message that it wants to push the projects under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal. It’s no wonder, Beijing is upbeat about Dahal, of Maoist party, leading the government, but it is the job of the new prime minister to win the trust of India and the US as well. “Winning the confidence of the Western power in particular is one of the major challenges of the Dahal government,” says Wagle. Earlier, the CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN-UML leaders had criticized the Nepali Congress-led government for violating the long-standing foreign policy of non-alignment and becoming pro-Western. Their claim was not unfounded. Nepal-China ties did take a hit under the Deuba administration. On several occasions, the northern neighbors had openly expressed displeasure on the decisions taken by the previous government. Now, the two ruling left parties must prove that they are adherent of the non-alignment policy. Dahal takes charge at a time when some crucial issues related to the US, China and India are pending. Nepal is yet to take a concrete position on India’s military recruitment scheme called Agnipath. The status of America’s State Partnership Program (SPP) is also uncertain. It won’t be an easy job for the Dahal government to take decisions on these issues because of internal and external pressures. The election manifestos of Maoist and UML provide some hints of the new government’s foreign policy. The Maoist party has explained in detail in the foreign policy section of its election manifesto that friendly and proximate relationships will be maintained with both neighbors. The party also says that it is important for Nepal to remain free from all sorts of foreign military activities and become a zone of peace. It expressly states that Nepal will not become a part of any bilateral or multilateral military alliances. Then there are also issues pertaining to India. The manifesto talks about regulating open borders with India and reviewing or canceling the Peace and Friendship Treaty (1950), the Tripartite Agreement (1947), and other treaties related to trade and treaties with India. Similarly, UML’s election manifesto states the party will maintain an independent and balanced foreign policy with a priority on neighboring countries. It talks about the approach of “amity with all and enmity with none” in order to foster a relationship based on sovereign equality. The UML manifesto also says that the disputed territories between Nepal and India at Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani will be recovered, and that all treaties with India will be reviewed to protect Nepal’s welfare. It remains to be seen if the two parties will follow through on the promises they have made on their election manifestos. If they did, some of the issues such as border dispute resolution and review of past treaties could raise complexities with India. Foreign policy experts say the Dahal government must be careful not to shake the tightrope of diplomacy. Keep house in order first Anil Sigdel, Foreign Policy Expert Nepal’s domestic politics has failed to convince external partners. Extremely personal power-centric practices by political parties have eroded Nepal’s standing in the international stage. This has adversely impacted Nepal’s growth and development. Nepal has to keep its own house in order first before going on to tackle foreign policy matters. Dahal, for his past record as a rebel, will certainly draw attention of the international community, especially to what direction he will lean in these geopolitically challenging times. Oftentimes, his past actions seemed guided by his ideology. Issuing a support letter over Venezuela to show his anti-American stance was one such example. Right after his appointment as prime minister this time, he posted a tweet about celebrating Mao Zedong’s 130th birth anniversary. Certainly, this is a symbolic act, but it can still raise suspicion regarding his political objectives. Winning trust is the key Chandra Dev Bhatt, foreign policy expert The biggest foreign policy challenge for this government is whether it can win the trust, not only of immediate and distant neighbors but also of the international community at large. Nepal’s economy is already feeling the heat and we need foreign investment. Therefore, the following points need to be taken into consideration. The first is that the foreign policy priority of this new government should be to maintain best relations both with India and China. No political ideology should be reflected while conducting foreign policy. A political party’s foreign policy cannot be national foreign policy. The second point is we need to bring the broader international community into confidence, as they have been our developmental partners for a long period of time. This does not mean that we need to take each and every prescription for the development and other activities they provide. We need to put national perspectives into consideration and take the factor of comparative advantage into mind. Thirdly, our relations with the West including the US should be maintained at the best level. We need to activate our economic diplomacy to attract investment and resuscitate the economy. Fourth, we must maintain friendly ties with West Asian countries, where a large number of Nepalis are working. And lastly, we should take advantage of the new geopolitics in Asia. Our foreign policy should be streamlined with other policies or vice versa, and the line ministry and its other agencies should not be politicized. If this government is a product of geopolitics, then there are always more than one actor who will try to bend it on their way. And what guarantee is there they will continue to support it. After all, there are always certain interests behind geopolitics.
