At the outset, let us recall the vivid image of the Gorkha soldiers’ statues in front of the Army pavilion at Tundikhel. The soldiers stand tall, chest upright, their eyes look forward with conviction for peace and human value, pledged through their unwavering valor and immortalized through the sacrifices performed in the past, in the hour of need, to honor their sacred promise to their motherland. 

Looking back at this sentimental piece of history, it fills us with moral pride and nudges us to make similar vows towards the nation. To protect the peace and sovereignty that the past secured for the present-day Nepal, and to pay it forward similarly. 

The Nepali Army has again proven its competency for maintenance of law and order not only within the motherland, but to the world itself, through our valiant peacekeeping force. 

When there are larger forces at play, threatening the harmonious order of world peace, Nepal, being a peace-loving nation, with its resilient people, is thoughtful of such conflicts. The prevailing catastrophe in West Asia has drawn much attention and frustration all over the world, and Nepal remains apprehensive of more potential threats across the world and thus appeals to save the innocent lives caught in the crossfire of these unyielding narratives. 

Cardinal principle

The fundamental objective of Nepal’s foreign policy is to enhance the dignity of the nation by safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and promoting the economic well-being and prosperity of Nepal. It is also aimed at contributing to global peace, harmony, and security. The ‘Panchasheel’ is the bottom line principle of our foreign policy, where non-interference in each other’s internal affairs is more of an inspiration to those nations in conflict. We abide by the faith prescribed in the charter of the United Nations and, therefore, call for a cessation of violence to prevent further extra-regional instability and civilian suffering. 

That being said, the country has become the number one troop contributing country in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations as a manifestation of the Nepali people’s commitment to international peace and security. 

This commitment to the UN mandate has cost Nepal a heavy toll on its personnel, and to date, 74 personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice at the altar of world peace, and another 77 have been disabled. The Nepali Army has always accepted challenges and participated in the most complex operations (Nepali Army website) and will continue this commitment for world peace.

Be different

The history of the Nepali Army is unique and different from any other army in the world. Nepal played a crucial role in both world wars by contributing sizable troops to establish international order. Since then, for Nepal, the maintenance of world peace has become an inalienable part of state affairs. 

Armed Forces of any nation are associated mainly with the use of force to obtain peace. Analysts view modern militaries properly fit in the societies of which they are a part, and serve their nation as prescribed by legitimacy. The deployment of the army in various roles domestically and in various peacekeeping missions across the world is the manifestation of the above.

Crisis management

A capable military force is the necessary condition of a conducive environment for a prosperous, stable and peaceful nation. In order to achieve this, the army has been exemplary in the past, present, and will definitely be vital in the future in handling our domestic crisis regardless of the spectrum of disasters of any magnitude, to the public disorders, including the insurgency.

On Sept 9 of last year, the Nepali Army displayed a strategic move that was successful in minimizing the potential chaos in the nation and proved to be the most illustrious panacea in the least possible time in record history. The entire world community witnessed the national military’s outstanding ability to dismiss the anticipated chaos. The role played by the Nepali army during the recent election is much appreciated. 

Prevention strategy

Since the beginning of the Russia–Ukraine war and Israel-Iran tension, there has been a surge in military expenditure in the countries involved. The cost of a missile is not less than $8m whereas interceptors like Patriot PAC-3 would cost $3.7m. The colossal destruction of innocent children, men, and women, and the infrastructure is irreversible. Defensive systems like Iron Dome and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) may cost tens of thousands per interception, while high-end ballistic missiles can run into several million dollars each. 

As the tensions escalate in West Asia and military exchanges intensify, the financial footprint of the conflict on the parties involved will be much higher, and the global supply chain impact will radiate negatively to other countries. The stress has already brought up mental problems in the people of these countries, making human civilization more vulnerable.  

Buddhist philosophy had enlightened Nepal as a beacon of world peace; hence, as a nation, we should direct our international relations towards enhancing the dignity of the nation in the world community by advocating world peace. Nepali soldiers are deployed in various conflict areas today in carrying out our duties centered on the Buddhist philosophy. The most important part of our foreign policy, which is non-interference in other countries’ internal matters, could have been imbibed to do away with the current crisis in West Asia by the parties involved.  

Conclusion

Nepali Army soldiers qualify as efficient peacekeepers all over the world. Our blue helmets’ contributions to protecting vulnerable communities and assisting in countries’ transition from war to peace have won unprecedented accolades as ‘Peace Champions’. 

The country adheres to a consistent policy of non-alignment, isolation, neutrality, and strategic balancing and expounds Buddhist philosophy of non-violence and “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” (a concept of world brotherhood) of the Vedas. The soldiers have been and will play a crucial role in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as be a linchpin to put right any crisis and make peace domestically by exemplifying its robust professional commitment to the cause as mandated by the constitution. With the emergence of the New Year 2083 BS, Nepali people will love to see their country peaceful, stable, and resilient, and wish the same to the world.  

Let us all appeal to the parties in conflict to discover amicable terms so that our mother earth remains peaceful, stable, prosperous, and joyous rather than exhausting her God-gifted natural resources, both in terms of human and material. Thus, the national army stands to safeguard world peace, as always.

The author is a Brigadier General (Rtd) of the Nepali Army