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Consumers were taken by surprise when gold prices in the domestic market dropped significantly on Monday. Gold price had gone up by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.664 grams) to Rs 167,000 on Sunday. It, however, fell by Rs 15,900 per tola overnight to Rs 151,300 on Monday. 

This significant drop in gold price is linked to the government's decision to reduce customs duty on gold imports from 20 percent to 10 percent. A cabinet meeting held on Thursday had taken the decision, which took effect from Sunday, according to the Department of Customs.

The decision to reduce customs duty was primarily motivated by two factors. First, there was a dramatic decline in gold imports through the formal channel during the first four months of the current fiscal year (2024-25). Official data from the Department of Customs reveal that Nepal imported 132.56 kg of gold worth Rs 1.42bn during the review period. This is an 87 percent drop compared to the same period of 2023/24 when the country imported 1,000.5 kg (worth Rs 8.2bn).

Nepal allows only designated commercial banks to import gold. Associations of gold dealers then take the gold from banks and distribute it among its members.

Second, and perhaps more concerning, was the emergence of increased gold smuggling activities from India to Nepal. This illicit trade was fueled by India’s decision to lower its customs duty on gold to six percent from 15 percent, creating a significant price disparity between the two countries. With gold becoming significantly cheaper in India, smugglers exploited this price differential, which led to a significant surge in illegal import of gold from the southern neighbor.

Alarmed by the significant drop in revenue from gold imports, the government decided to lower customs duty to 10 percent. The policy reversal comes just months after the Pushpa Kamal Dahal administration increased the duty from 15 percent to 20 percent in mid-July 2024 through the budget for fiscal year 2024-25.

While consumers have already benefited from the decision to lower customs duty on gold, which immediately made the yellow metal cheaper, the success of this policy adjustment will depend on several factors: the recovery of legal gold import volumes, reduction in smuggling activities and stabilization of gold prices in the domestic market.

It’s still unclear if this policy intervention will be sufficient to combat gold smuggling as Nepal’s 10 percent customs duty is still higher than six percent in India.

Foreign employment has been heralded as a lifeline for Nepal’s struggling economy for a long time. The glossy statistics on remittance have painted a picture of collective prosperity. Yet the allure of economic gain masks a brutal reality that is far less glamorous, especially for women. Foreign employment poses challenges to women not only as those who travel to the destination country but those who remain in the country of origin as well. For those left behind in rural Nepal, the absence of male members of the family members often means isolation, economic vulnerability and an overwhelming burden of household responsibilities. For those women who dare to venture abroad, the promise of a better life is often replaced by exploitation, abuse and a deep sense of social alienation. This vicious cycle of suffering, silenced by the glitter of remittance dollars, exposes the dark underbelly of foreign employment.

Foreign employment, while conjuring the image of economic upliftment, neglects the profound social costs that come with it. As rural men migrate for work, women who stay behind are forced to take on dual roles. This not only thrusts them into challenging positions of managing households alone but also compels them to step into roles that are otherwise historically done by men which include overseeing finances and maintaining farms. 

In cases like these women are not empowered by their new responsibilities but instead overwhelmed. The workload increases with no increase in helping hands and support mechanisms. This dual burden leads to exhaustion and mental health challenges. In the context of rural women, who are marginalized by geography these challenges are compounded by lack of resources and social networks to cope with this shift. Their workload intensifies while their autonomy remains constrained by societal expectations and limited access in decision making roles within the family.

The narrative that women in rural areas are mere passive recipients of remittances is misleading. They are not passive beneficiaries as in reality they are managing the entire households and communities. But their labor, both emotional and physical, goes unacknowledged, perpetuating their marginalization.As men leave, rural communities face depopulation, and agriculture, the major source of livelihood for many families suffers. With fewer hands available to work on the fields, the fields lie barren, further eroding food security. Moreover, this situation places women in a precarious position of economic and social vulnerability. The absence of male members of the family increases their exposure to exploitation. Women in rural Nepal, now the sole managers of remittances, are vulnerable to manipulation and economic abuse from extended families or in-laws who may take advantage of their isolated position.

Financial success abroad does not necessarily translate into marital success at home. At times, the long separations caused by foreign employment stretch the familial bonds to their breaking point. Communication between spouses becomes infrequent, often leading to misunderstandings, conflicts over money and sometimes even divorce. There have been reported cases of husband/wife forging new relationships abroad or at home, disrupting their married lives. 

For many women, the emotional strain of running a household alone, coupled with societal pressures to maintain family honor could lead to several mental health issues. Any perceived failure such as financial struggles, household management or even relationship issues may be seen as personal failure further intensifying the mental burden. Depression, anxiety and loneliness are evident issues, but these women are often left to cope without any access to mental health care or even a listening ear. While the men abroad are hailed as breadwinners, women shoulder the emotional and psychological costs of sustaining the family integrity.

While the challenges faced by women left behind are severe, those who migrate for work face an entirely new set of struggles. It takes only a small mistake for the journey of economic dreams to turn into exploitation nightmares. Women migrating to countries in the Middle East or Southeast Asia for work, often in caregiving or domestic roles, are vulnerable to extreme exploitation. These sectors, characterized by poor working conditions, long hours, and meager pay, frequently expose women to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

Migrant women, especially those undocumented or without proper legal protections, live in constant fear of deportation or retaliation, making it difficult to seek help or report abuse. The very systems that are meant to protect them, legal aid and worker’s rights organizations, are often inaccessible due to language barriers, cultural differences, or fear of losing their jobs. These barriers leave women trapped in exploitative situations with little recourse to justice. Adding to their plight is the severe isolation that migrant women often endure. Live-in domestic workers, in particular, are cut off from the outside world, living at the mercy of their employers. This isolation, compounded by the pressures of being away from their families, leads to significant mental health challenges, including depression and loneliness. The lack of social contact or support systems exacerbates their already precarious situation.

A particularly harsh reality for female migrant workers is the issue of unwanted pregnancies, often resulting from sexual exploitation. Many women, isolated and vulnerable, find themselves in situations where they are taken advantage of by employers or intermediaries. With limited access to reproductive healthcare, these women are at high risk of unsafe abortions and other health complications, jeopardizing their physical well-being and sometimes their lives. Destination countries frequently fail to provide adequate healthcare for migrant women, particularly those in the lower rungs of the workforce. In addition, cultural and legal restrictions around reproductive rights often prevent women from seeking the help they need, forcing them to resort to dangerous methods to terminate pregnancies or manage health issues.

The challenges faced by women, both at home and abroad, highlight the deeply gendered impact of labor migration. As women are increasingly called upon to take on new roles without adequate support, both within the household and in foreign countries, the social fabric begins to fray. Communities become depopulated, family ties strained, and the societal role of women burdened by unrealistic expectations. Critically, the focus on remittances while essential to the economy often overshadows these social costs. The long-term effects of migration on women are frequently absent from policy discussions, which tend to focus on the financial benefits rather than the deep social wounds migration creates. Migration is an inevitable economic reality for many Nepali families, but it need not come at the cost of women’s well-being. By recognizing the gender-specific challenges inherent in labor migration and addressing them through targeted policies, Nepal and its labor partners can ensure that foreign employment is a true path to prosperity, one that uplifts rather than exploits the women at its core.

Chief of the Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel and Indian Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, who is on a visit to Nepal, held bilateral talks at the Army Headquarters, Bhadrakali today.

The official meeting between the two Army Chiefs was focused on mutual partnership and interests between the militaries of the two countries.

During the talks, brief information about Nepali Army's duties and responsibilities, and the work performance was presented, NA Spokesperson Gaurav Kumar KC informed.

Before that, Indian Army Chief Dwivedi received the guard of honor presented by the Nepali Army, according to the Directorate of NA Public Relations and Information.

On the occasion, the Indian army chief planted a tree in the Jangi Adda (Headquarters complex).  The Indian army chief laid a wreath at the Memorial to the Brave Soldier located at the Army Pavilion in local Tundikhel.

President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to confer on Army Chief Dwivedi the rank of Honorary General (Maharathi) of the Nepali Army today.

There is a tradition of Nepal and India conferring the rank of Honorary General on each other's Army Chief since 1950.

This is General Dwivedi's first official visit to Nepal after his appointment as the Chief of the Indian Army on June 30.

He is scheduled to call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Defence Minister Manbir Rai tomorrow.

Nepal defeated Scotland by five wickets in the one day international under the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League-2 Series today.

After losing the toss and being put to bat first at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, US, Scotland were bowled out for just 154 runs in 41.4 overs at the loss of all wickets.

Spinner Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets to limit Scotland's innings. Karan KC, Sompal Kami and Gulshan Jha took two wickets each and Arif Sheikh dismissed one.

For Scotland, Mark Watt scored highest with 34 runs while other batsmen could not score significant runs.

Nepal chased down the victory target in 29.5 overs. Arif Sheikh contributed 51 runs to cruise Nepal to victory. Likewise, Kushal Bhurtel and Gulshan Jha hit 25 runs each while Asif Sheikh gathered 21 runs for Nepal.

Brandon McMullen took two wickets for Scotland. Bradley Currie, Mark Watt and Jack Jarvis took one wicket each.

Earlier, Nepal had lost to the US by three wickets in the first match of the tri-series under League-2. Scotland defeated the US by 10 wickets in their first match.

Nepal has started witnessing the effects of cyclone 'Dana', according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

There is a possibility of light rainfall in the eastern part of the country till Friday as a result. 

Meteorologist at the Division Min Kumar Aryal said light rainfall has been predicted at some places of Koshi and Madhes Provinces due to the impact of the cyclone.

"The effect of the cyclone will be seen in eastern parts of the country. It developed at Bay of Bengal few days ago", he shared.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) organized the 2024 K-Culture program in Kathmandu on Wednesday to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Nepal.

On the occasion, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal presented a dynamic cultural performance that combines Korea’s traditional dance and drum music with cutting-edge high-tech media technologies.

The performance, led by the renowned Korea’s Performance Team – SDG Crew, highlighted the vibrant energy and intricate artistry of Korea’s traditional dance forms, enhanced by the powerful beats of traditional Korean drums, reads a statement issued by the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu.

What sets this performance apart is its innovative integration of high-tech media elements, including state-of-the-art projections, lighting, and sound design, which create an immersive and unforgettable experience.

The performance not only showcases the rich cultural heritage of Korea but also reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of our bilateral relationship.

A large number of Korean and Nepali people attended the program.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Dev Raj Ghimire emphasized that the relations between Nepal and Korea encompass a wide range of sectors, including people-to people relations, tourism, trade, investment, energy, agriculture, health and climate issues, culture, and sustainability in his welcome remarks.

He also congratulates the people of both countries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Republic of Korea.

Dashain is the most significant festival in Nepal, celebrated with family gatherings, laughter, and of course, food. The dining table becomes the heart of the celebration, bringing everyone together to share, laugh, and enjoy meals that reflect love and unity. While meat dishes like goat curry and sukuti are often seen as staples during Dashain, I believe this festival should be just as delightful for vegetarians. After all, food is about inclusion, and when we cook for loved ones, we should ensure everyone feels welcome at the table.

I believe it’s important to reimagine the Dashain menu to cater to those who prefer plant-based meals. Why not celebrate the spirit of togetherness with a vegetarian feast that’s just as flavorful, joyful, and satisfying as any meat-based spread?

Reimagining vegetarian samay baji

If you were to be my guest this Dashain, I would serve you a vegetarian version of ‘samay baji’, a Newari platter traditionally filled with meat but now designed to cater to vegetarian tastes. Each element of this dish would represent the diversity and richness of Nepal’s culinary heritage, made with local, seasonal ingredients. Every bite would reflect the colors and flavors of Dashain, honoring both tradition and innovation.

Chiura (Beaten rice): Light and crispy, this staple pairs perfectly with every other dish, providing a crunchy base for the flavorful elements on the plate.

Bhatmas (fried black soybeans): Crispy and nutty, these black soybeans add texture and balance, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.

Wa/Bara (lentil pancakes): Rich in protein, these soft lentil pancakes nod to tradition while ensuring the dish remains hearty and fulfilling.

Soybean or mushroom choyela: Typically, a meat-based dish, choyela in this vegetarian version uses smoky grilled soybeans or mushrooms, seasoned with Nepali spices.

Palu (finely cut ginger): This burst of freshness ties the whole plate together, balancing the richness of the other dishes.

Tofu chili: In place of the traditional boiled egg, this spicy stir-fried tofu brings a bold flavor to the plate, adding a dash of heat that’s perfect for the festive meal.

Vegetable pakora: Crispy on the outside, tender inside, these vegetable fritters are a nostalgic touch, reminiscent of fried fish from Malekhu but in a vegetarian form.

Aalu sadeko (spicy potato salad): This tangy, spicy potato salad is full of the addictive, fiery flavors that Dashain meals are known for.

Greens (saag): Whether sautéed spinach or mustard greens, no Nepali meal is complete without greens. They add a colorful, healthy touch to the feast.

Achar (pickles): No Dashain platter is complete without pickles. My version would feature radish, carrot, and lapsi berry, creating a tangy, spicy accompaniment. I’d also include chukauni, a creamy yogurt-based potato pickle from western Nepal, adding a regional twist.

Aila (Newari wine): A small shot of aila would complete the experience, pairing beautifully with the earthy flavors of the vegetarian samay baji.

This vegetarian samay baji is a celebration on a plate, where each element is thoughtfully crafted to honor tradition while offering something new and exciting.

Vegetarian options

Dashain is a festival of abundance, and for me, the essence of this celebration lies in the togetherness it brings—not in the sacrifice of animals. Nepal has a long history of vegetarian cuisine, and this Dashain, I want to showcase how these dishes can stand proudly alongside traditional meat offerings. Here are some of my favorite vegetarian delicacies that are perfect for the festival.

Soybean chili: A spicy, tangy dish where soybeans are the star, offering a bold depth of flavor that’s both exciting and familiar.

Paneer masala: Paneer cooked in a rich, spiced tomato sauce brings a sense of indulgence and comfort to the table.

Aalu cauli (potato and cauliflower curry): This hearty, flavorful dish is packed with Nepali spices, making it the perfect accompaniment to the festive spread.

Mushroom choyela: A vegetarian twist on the traditional grilled meat dish, this version uses marinated mushrooms, offering the smoky flavor that Dashain feasts are known for.

Soy keema kerau masala: My signature dish for Dashain 2024, this soy mince cooked with peas in a spicy gravy provides the perfect vegetarian alternative to keema, giving that famous ‘piro’ (spicy) kick.

Each of these dishes tells a story of family, culture, and love—the essence of what Dashain is all about. Cooking for the people you care about is an act of love, and the joy that comes from creating these meals is shared by all who gather around the table. The heart and soul you put into the kitchen translate into the joy felt at the dining table, making each meal unforgettable.

Celebrating with vibrant vegetarian dishes

This Dashain, I invite you to celebrate with dishes that are as colorful and festive as the kites we once flew on our childhood rooftops. Plates filled with spicy, tangy, and flavorful vegetarian dishes can ensure that this festival will be one to remember. A feast that brings people together, full of flavors that will have your family talking for the rest of the year—a true celebration of tradition, love, and unity.

With this approach, Dashain becomes a time to honor the rich variety of Nepali cuisine, ensuring that everyone at the table, vegetarian or not, feels included and celebrated.

The author is UK-based R&D chef

The 79th United Nations General Assembly provided an opportunity for Nepal and the United States to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues. On the sidelines of the meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba engaged in talks with senior US officials.

During a ceremony at the State Department, Nepal and the US agreed to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism. Foreign Minister Deuba and US Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs, John Bass, signed the agreement, with senior officials from both sides in attendance. Nepal has similar mechanisms in place with several other countries.

After the meeting, Foreign Minister Deuba said, “A historic milestone in Nepal-US relations has been achieved with the signing of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).” She added the agreement would promote deeper cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and infrastructure, thereby laying a stronger foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Oli and Foreign Minister Rana also met with Alice P Albright, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), to discuss the progress of MCC projects in Nepal. The US has encouraged Nepal to foster a favorable environment for smooth implementation of the MCC. Thirteen months have passed since the MCC came into effect, and its projects are supposed to be completed within four years. Recent progress at the local level has been positive, which is a good thing. Senior MCC officials have been consistently engaging with Nepal’s top leaders to ensure there are no obstacles to the project's implementation.

Additionally, Foreign Minister Deuba met with Uzra Zeya, US Undersecretary of State for Civil Security, Democracy and Human Rights, to discuss Nepal’s transitional justice issues, human rights and democracy. Zeya, who visited Nepal in 2022, has long advocated for the human rights of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. The US has requested that Nepal resume the process of issuing identity cards to these refugees.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power also met with Prime Minister Oli to discuss the enduring partnership between USAID and Nepal. Power welcomed Nepal’s recent passage of transitional justice legislation and its participation as a founding member of the “Partnership for a Lead-Free Future.” The two sides also discussed ongoing support for Nepal’s development efforts, focusing on health, agriculture, economic growth, and improving public service delivery.

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, visited Nepal, where he met with Prime Minister Oli and other senior leaders. Verma expressed the US intention to provide $100m in Foreign Military Financing to enhance Nepal’s rotary wing capabilities, pending Congressional approval and the availability of funds. The discussions also included continued cooperation on sustainable economic development, particularly through the MCC, which aims to increase access to clean energy, as well as a USAID-funded project to promote Nepal’s tea industry through the Nepal Tea Collective.

Prime Ministers of Nepal KP Sharma Oli and Bhutan Dasi Tshering Tobgay held a meeting at the Office of Nepal's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

During the meeting, they discussed expansion of. the people-to-people and trade relations between Nepal and Bhutan.

Matters related to advancing collaborations in bilateral and multilateral forums were discussed between the two countries, said PM Oli's chief political advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, who also attended the meeting.

On the occasion, Bhutan's PM Tobgay said Bhutan has cordial relations with Nepal due to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and also in the context of Nepal being the Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). He expressed gratitude to Nepal for the goodwill it has shown for Bhutan.

After a long wait, both the border points with Tibet of China have been opened.

The Ruila border point in Chumanbri Rural Municipality-1 and Nguila border point in Chumanbri Rural Municipality-7 of Gorkha have been opened, rural municipality Chairman Nima Lama informed.

Ruila border crossing has been open for 15 days and Nguila crossing for a month, Lama said.

The border points, closed by the Chinese side, were opened for a short time after five years.

Locals have been elated after the opening of the border crossings.

“Our border points have been opened. Now, the people can go to the Tibetan markets to buy daily essentials,” Chetan Chumbel Lama of Chumanbri-7 said, adding,” We have been asked to bring citizenship and pass. Now, the villagers are preparing to go to Shyak of Tibet.”

Though the border points are open, people are allowed to take only horses, not yaks, to transport goods.

Nguila border points were opened from Tuesday and Ruila from Wednesday.

During a meeting between the representatives of Chekampar and Tibetan officials, an understanding was reached that the border points will be opened from May.

The Chinese side had closed all 14 border points including Nguila border in Chumanbri-7 and Ruila border in Chumanbri-1 after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Health and Population has said that Nepal falls under the risk of infection of monkeypox (mpox).

According to Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki, the infection is spreading rapidly in neighboring India and in this context, Nepal too is vulnerable to it.

Last year, one 60-year-old foreigner (female) was diagnosed with the mpox virus in Nepal.

The Ministry has already consulted with the experts concerned regarding preparations required for its prevention.

Budhathoki said that health desks based along the air and border transits and the federal, provincial and local levels have been instructed to remain vigilant to the infection risk and take measures accordingly. 

The Ministry has designated hospitals and doctors in all seven provinces for the prevention and management of the infection.

Since the past few days, the African country Congo is battling with Clade 1b. This variant of mpox is considered to be deadly. Since January this year, it has killed 548 people.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a health emergency over the spread of the virus.

Mpox spreads through direct contact with the infected person or animal, skin-to-skin contact with mpox rash or scabs from an infected, contact with fluid and saliva from the body of an infected, clothing, towels, beddings or objects used by the infected.

Fever, skin rash and bumps in between one and three days of the infection which appears in the face, palm and feet as well, headache, muscle ache, bone ache, chills, and swollen lymph nodes are the symptoms of mpox. It may lead to the loss of eyesight, pneumonia, brain fever, miscarriage (among pregnant) and even death.

The Ministry has hoped for a high level of cooperation from the civic- level in terms of adopting health protocols to prevent the risk which is, as the Ministry said, possible, if the civic are ready for that. 

The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Business Summit, first of its kind, took place in New Delhi from Aug 6-8. For Nepal, the summit was an opportunity to showcase commitment to regional collaboration and to engage with key stakeholders; a pivotal moment for exploring new avenues for economic and educational partnerships.

Founded in 1997, BIMSTEC was designed to promote collaboration among South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. The event attracted a diverse range of leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, all gathered to discuss and strategize on the future of economic cooperation in the region, underscoring the increasing importance of regional partnerships and collective action in driving sustainable development.

A highlight of the summit was the presence of the Nepali delegation, which included the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, and leading Nepali businesspeople such as President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Dhakal, Senior Vice-president Anjan Shrestha, former president Bhawani Rana and Shesh Raj Bhattarai, President of the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) among others.

Bhattarai says, “The summit was a pivotal event, gathering some of the most influential figures and thought leaders from South and Southeast Asia.”

While Rana highlighted the urgent need to enhance women’s access to capital, skills development, and mentorship and advocated for leveraging the full potential of women to drive regional economic growth and foster inclusive development.

Similarly, senior Vice-president Shrestha detailed strategies to improve educational infrastructure by advocating for advanced institutions and regional collaboration to enhance learning outcomes and innovation. Shrestha also proposed significant advancements in healthcare, emphasizing the potential of telemedicine and digital health solutions. 

They offered insights into the blue and mountain economies, discussing how sustainable practices in managing marine and mountainous resources could drive economic growth for Nepal, Bhutan, and India. They proposed establishing an MSME Development Center within BIMSTEC to support micro, small, and medium enterprises with resources and training, thus enhancing their growth and contribution to the regional economy.

One of the summit’s major accomplishments was the establishment of the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, a development that promises to enhance economic collaboration and integration among member countries. 

In the summit, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal emerged as a central figure, delivering a presentation that emphasized India’s growing role as a global economic leader. Goyal’s address outlined a vision for how Nepal could enhance its role within the BIMSTEC framework, particularly in the tourism sector. He emphasized the potential for Nepal to become a leading destination in the region, leveraging its unique assets to drive growth and collaboration among BIMSTEC countries. 

Bhattarai of ECAN addresses some areas that could benefit from improvement to enhance Nepal’s future participation, such as the noticeable absence of experts and financial commentators from Nepal. He suggests their presence could enrich discussions and provide valuable insights, showcasing Nepal’s engagement with global economic issues. Additionally, the Nepal Embassy in New Delhi could play a more proactive role in facilitating Nepal’s involvement.

Bhattarai also suggests holding better pre-event briefings that would ensure delegates are well-aligned with the summit’s objectives and post-event follow-ups that would help capitalize on the opportunities and connections created. “This approach would also facilitate better evaluation and planning for future engagements,” he says.

In view of the recent developments in Bangladesh, Nepal has increased vigilance in the border areas.

Vigilance along with additional forces has been increased in the border areas and international transit points to avoid infiltration and illegal entry of foreign nationals.

Following directives of the Central Security Committee, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force of Nepal have stated that a circular has been issued to subordinate units to strengthen the security by increasing personnel based on need and to adopt high vigilance along with the assessment of the situation.

Spokesperson of Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki, said that the security system has been bolstered by deploying additional forces along with the currently deployed security personnel. "Security personnel have been instructed to be alert at the airport and entry and exit points, especially in the Tarai and areas bordering with neighboring India, and make security arrangements after assessing potential risks."

Likewise, spokesperson of Armed Police Force Nepal, Deputy Inspector General Kumar Neupane, shared that security has been strengthened by increasing personnel in the border areas while remaining alert to the infiltration of people from other countries.

Ambassador of Egypt to Nepal, Noha Elgebaly said Egypt would extend all possible support to Nepal in attaining its goal of upgrading to a developing country in November 2026.

Addressing a reception hosted on Tuesday evening with Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav as the chief guest on the occasion of the National Day of Egypt, the Ambassador said that Egypt would help Nepal smoothly transition to the status of a developing country.

Saying that Egypt wants Nepal's socio-economic progress and political stability, she said Egypt and Nepal have been collaborating on the issues of shared concerns in multilateral forums, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), G-77 and the United Nations.

Noting Egypt and Nepal share partnership on issues of mutual interest, including climate change, Ambassador Elgebaly said NAM's founding member Nepal is a close friend of Egypt.

The bilateral relations have been further strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Nepal in 1957, she said, adding the Pyramids of Egypt and the Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) of Nepal have become the attractions for tourists from all over the world.

Egypt, the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Nepal, has offered opportunities to 300 Nepali students for higher studies, she said she was committed to increasing the scholarship quota in the future.

The Ambassador also informed that the consultative mechanism between the two countries would soon take a decision in this regard.

She further said the two countries still have a lot to do in the areas of economic partnership, investment and trade. The 1962 Revolution had turned to be the driver of Egypt's development, Ambassador Elgebaly said the National Day had inspired the people of her country to move forward on the path of continuous development while maintaining the glorious history.

Heads and officials of diplomatic missions, high-ranking officials of the government, entrepreneurs and senior media persons were present on the occasion.  

Nepal suffered a trade deficit of Rs 1,440 billion while carrying out a foreign trade of total Rs 1,745 billion in the last fiscal year 2023/24.

As per the foreign trade statistics of the last fiscal year released by the Department of Customs, the country imported goods worth Rs 592 billion during the period while it exported goods worth Rs 152 billion.

The import-export and overall foreign deficit has decreased in the fiscal year as compared to previous fiscal year, reads the statistics. 

The trade deficit had reached Rs 1,768 billion in the fiscal year 2022/23 while importing goods worth Rs 1,611 billion and exporting goods worth Rs 157 billion.  The foreign trade deficit was Rs 1,454 billion in the previous fiscal year.

The import was decreased by 1.16 percent, export by 3.03 percent, overall foreign trade by 1.33 percent and foreign trade deficit by 0.96 percent in the last fiscal year as compared to previous fiscal year. The ratio of the last fiscal year is equal to 10.45 per cent.

India remained Nepal's largest trading partner, Nepal had a trade deficit of Rs 893.17 billion with India in the last fiscal year. Nepal had imported goods worth Rs 996.68 billion while it exported goods worth Rs 103.17 billion.

Nepal's second largest trade deficit is with China amounting to Rs 296.18 billion. Nepal imported goods worth Rs 298.77 billion while exported goods worth Rs 258.8 million.

Similarly, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and Malaysia are in third, fourth and fifth position respectively with Nepal bearing the most trade deficit.

Nepal makes highest profit in trade with Denmark

During the last fiscal year, Nepal achieved its highest trade profit in transactions with Denmark.  It witnessed a profit of Rs 467.05 million with Denmark while the imports were valued at Rs 354.05 million followed by the exports worth Rs 822.01 million.

The second-highest trade profit was recorded with Afghanistan, amounting to Rs 466 million. Nepal imported goods worth Rs 27.6 million from Afghanistan and exported goods valued at Rs 493.06 million.

In terms of imports, petroleum products were the highest, with diesel worth Rs 143.97 billion, petrol worth Rs 68.10 billion, and LPG (cooking gas) worth Rs 55.61 billion.

Imports of iron products amounted to Rs 39.03 billion, while smartphones accounted for Rs 28.66 billion in imports.

Likewise, Nepal imported gold worth Rs 23.65 billion.

During the period Nepal exported various goods such as carpets, cardamom, fruit products, and steel items. It exported carpets worth Rs 10.57 billion, and cardamom worth Rs 7.93 billion.

Nepal has been experiencing chronic political instability for years, primarily due to disputes between major political parties over power-sharing arrangements. Internal strife and petty fights within and among the parties for power have brought frequent changes in government formed as a result of compromise between major parties and fringe parties, especially after the adoption of a federal democratic republic polity, disappointing a people aspiring for stability, progress and prosperity for long. Ruling coalitions, formed to seize or hold onto power, have long been a feature of Nepal's political landscape. Although this coalition-based system occasionally promotes cooperative government, it frequently results in conflicts and instability.

The clash

In Nepal, coalition administrations are the result of partnerships between several parties. More often than not, practical realities and not shared ideologies are behind ruling coalitions involving major parties like the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Center) and their junior partners. Due to a proportional representation system, which guarantees even smallest parties a place in the legislature, coalition-building becomes necessary. Although this system stipulated in the Constitution encourages diversity and representation, it also results in fragmented mandates, which necessitate ruling coalitions. In such alliances, conflicts often emerge around the assignment of ministerial responsibilities. Junior coalition partners feel left behind and charge the bigger parties with controlling important positions. Policy goals differ significantly, especially when it comes to foreign policy, federalism and economic changes.

Implications

A decade-long war has caused paralysis in governance. National development initiatives and economic recovery have suffered due to delays in crucial legislative and policy choices. Political unrest discourages foreign investment and has an impact on tourism, hitting the national economy hard. Business confidence has also decreased because of prolonged uncertainty. Frequent conflicts among ruling coalitions for power and prolonged instability have reduced public confidence in the democratic system. 

Way forward

Political observers predict that communication and compromise will be necessary to end disputes involving coalitions by ensuring the participation of all coalition participants in decision-making processes. The idea behind this exercise is to alleviate deep-entrenched feelings of marginalization. Creating a precise policy framework that describes the coalition's goals and tactics will aid in minimizing policy divergences. Coalition partners can avoid miscommunication and disagreements by having explicit, documented agreements that specify power-sharing arrangements, policy goals and dispute resolution procedures. Stability depends on creating strong democratic institutions capable of resolving disputes and guaranteeing that coalition standards are followed. Ideological differences may be closed and collaboration can be fostered by encouraging political parties to engage in consensus-building and communication. Restoring public participation in political processes can aid in restoring trust and guarantee that public officials remain answerable to their citizens.

Disputes within coalition governments bring to light the difficulties coalition politics inherently faces in a fast changing and varied political environment. Coalition governments encourage diversity and representation, but they also need careful handling of conflicting interests and power relationships. In order to ensure a stable and efficient government as Nepal moves closer to consolidating its democracy, it will be important to address these issues through unambiguous agreements, institutional development and consensus-building. 

The inherent difficulties of coalition politics are exemplified by conflicting goals and ideologies within Nepal’s ruling coalitions. In a multiparty democracy, ruling coalitions are necessary, such coalitions should have an appetite for compromise and the proclivity to put the greater good of the country above petty gains. Nepal’s political leaders should have the capacity to overcome these obstacles to foster political stability and long-term growth as the country continues on its democratic path. Conflicts within Nepal’s coalition administrations are a reflection of the larger difficulties of governing in a pluralistic democracy that is undergoing transformation. 

In a political environment marked by fragmented power, ruling coalitions are necessary, but they call for mutual respect, a careful balance of power and a common commitment to the advancement of the country. Nepal's future depends on the existing coalition’s capacity to resolve internal conflicts and provide stable administration. Notwithstanding obstacles on the way, a more stable and prosperous Nepal can be achieved through dedication and sincere cooperation.