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Joseph Nye Jr defines “soft power,” as a country’s ability to influence others without resorting to coercion. This process involves countries projecting their values, ideals, and culture across borders to foster goodwill and strengthen partnerships, deriving attractiveness from their cultural, political, and foreign policy initiatives. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union, as two superpowers, effectively employed soft power as a nonviolent method to promote their cultural, economic, and political values. In international politics, soft power is understood as the capacity to attract and co-opt rather than coerce, playing a crucial role in the context of multilateralism. It encompasses much more than just image-building, public relations, or temporary popularity; it constitutes a form of real power that enables countries to achieve their political objectives.

Nepal and its soft power

Nepal harnesses its soft power to maintain sovereignty and foster prosperity. Recognized for contributing large numbers of UN peacekeepers, Nepal garners global respect for its professionalism and integrity. Another significant soft power asset is the recruitment of Gurkha soldiers into the British and Indian Army. Beyond peacekeeping, Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, mystic mountains, featuring diverse ethnic, tribal, and social influences, enhances its global image. Key soft power resources include tourism, religious harmony, hydroelectric potential, and cultural expressions like music, art, and festivals. Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Goddess Sita, can further elevate its soft power through religious diplomacy, promoting Buddhist heritage, Hindu shrines and unique traditions such as the Dog Festival (Kukur Tihar).

Kukur Tihar: Dog’s day

Kukur Tihar is the second day of the Nepalese Hindu Festival of Tihar, also known as the “Day of Dogs”. According to Vedic Sanatan Dharma, dogs are given special importance as they are considered as the guardian, security guard, and messenger of Yamaraj and it is said that the dog also guards the gate of salvation after death. Dogs have been very close to human beings since human civilization. The dog is also the wagon of the fearless Lord Bhairav, the seeker of Tantra and the path of righteousness. On this Kukur Tihar day, the dogs are worshiped and offered delicious food with garlands and tika.

Enhancing soft power through international festival

Many world leaders, celebrities and business tycoons have kept dogs as their pets. The US’s Presidential pets have long captured public interest. For instance, Roosevelt’s dog Fala, Nixon’s Checkers, and Clinton’s Buddy highlighted the pets’ role in political narratives. Johnson’s beagles, Bush’s Springer Spaniel Spot, and the Obama’s Bo and Sunny continued the tradition. Biden brought Champ, Major (the first shelter dog), Commander to the White House. Celebrities like Rihanna’s Oliver, billionaire Bill Gates’ Biko, Tata’s Tuffy, and several others have often been in the limelight.

Not only does keeping dogs as pets hold significance but representing dogs as diplomatic gifts have played a contemporary feature in world politics. Khrushchev’s gift of Pushinka, a dog from the Soviet space program to John F. Kennedy in 1961 symbolized Soviet achievements. The Russian President Vladimir Putin has received four dogs as diplomatic gifts, all residing with him in Moscow. The latest, Pasha, a Yugoslavian shepherd, was gifted by Serbia in 2019, Verni, a shepherd from Turkmenistan given in 2017, Yume, a Japanese Akita received after Putin supported Japan’s 2011 disaster recovery, and Buffy, his first gift dog, from Bulgaria in 2010.

Many world leaders who share a love for dogs often bring their pets along to official events and sometimes even on the campaign trail. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s rescue terrier Dilyn travels with his partner, while Finnish President Sauli Niinistö's Boston Terrier Lennu has become a national sensation. Irish President Michael D. Higgins is regularly seen with his Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bród and Síoda while Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a Portuguese Water Dog, Kenzie. French President Emmanuel Macron’s dog, Nemo, is a Labrador-Griffon mix, chosen from a shelter. Also, Queen Elizabeth’s royal corgis to beautiful actress Audrey Hepburn’s fluffy Mr. Famous and many others.

This love and friendship between leaders and dogs reflect their capacity for compassion—a key trait, especially for one who has as much power as the president. Dogs have long been used as symbols of strength. In paintings and statues, leaders are often shown with a loyal dog by their side, underscoring how animals can represent power in various forms.

The love for dogs as pets is growing globally, not only among the public but also among political leaders, celebrities and business leaders as a dog diplomacy. This trend makes festivals like Nepal’s Kukur Tihar an increasingly relevant tool for soft power diplomacy. This tradition has begun to inspire celebrations abroad as well. For example, since 2016, Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City have hosted their own Kukur Tihar, with Mexican animal rights groups and communities participating by garlanding and adorning dogs with vermilion, just as in Nepal. This adaptation was inspired by Nepal's festival to raise awareness about the respect humans owe to animals, particularly dogs, and has since gained popularity, highlighting dogs in a unique cultural celebration.

The Kukur Tihar, can serve as a form of soft power for Nepal by drawing international attention as a celebration of respect for dogs—a sentiment that resonates globally, even among prominent leaders. Thus, this festival not only strengthens Nepal’s cultural diplomacy by attracting tourists but also connects with animal lovers and advocates worldwide, fostering a positive image that transcends geographic borders. Through Kukur Tihar, Nepal showcases the soft power potential of its festivals and traditions, conveying values of respect, harmony, and humane treatment of animals that appeal to a diverse global audience.

Way forward

As Kukur Tihar gains national and international significance, it holds substantial potential as a diplomatic and soft power tool in Nepal’s foreign policy. The government could undertake several strategic steps and open avenues for collaboration with private stakeholders and various interest groups. For example, hosting Dog Festivals, Dog’s Cultural Show, Dog’s Fashion Show, Dog’s Olympics, etc during Tihar by inviting foreign diplomats, influencers, and journalists to experience the festival firsthand would promote Nepal’s culture and traditions, fostering cultural diplomacy between Nepal and other countries.

Nepal can easily generate necessary revenue required for promotion of such events because in 2023 alone, the pet care market was estimated to be worth over $260bn, with the dog food sector alone contributing a substantial portion, reaching around $95bn globally. The market includes food, grooming, veterinary care, pet insurance, toys, and accessories. Americans alone are spending nearly $60bn on dogs in 2022.

In Europe, the dog food market is estimated at $22.88bn in 2024, with Germany leading the EU’s pet industry, generating approximately $6.81bn in 2023 and projected to reach $1.62bn in 2024. Even, Nepal’s pet care market is rapidly expanding, exporting 1,646 tons of dog chews worth Rs 3.18bn in the last fiscal year, primarily to the US and Canada. These data clearly project that Nepal can probably start from the US and enter into Europe from Germany, countries that Nepal enjoys special ties with. Additionally, partnering with animal rights organizations could elevate Kukur Tihar’s profile through events and social campaigns that highlight animal rights. Thus, promoting Kukur Tihar would not only boost tourism and strengthen the national economy but also serve as an impeccable means of dog diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and soft power for Nepal.

The authors are associated with Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement

Bangladesh defeated host Nepal to retain the title of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship.

In the match played under lights at Dashrath Stadium in Tripureshwor, Bangladesh defeated Nepal by 2-1 goals. Two years ago, Bangladesh had defeated Nepal by 3-1 goals to win the championship for the first time.

All the three goals were scored in the second half, after the first half ended in a goalless draw. Bangladesh took the lead in the 52nd minute, with Monica Chakma opening the scoresheet. However, the lead did not last long, as Nepal's Amisha Karki made it 1-1 in the 56th minute.

Ritu Porna Chokma scored in the 81st minute, as her cross into the box from the left flank beat Nepali goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for the visitors. The scoreline did not change, as Nepal failed to exert any pressure in the remaining nine minutes and added five minutes.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who watched the final, also gave away the championship trophy and medals to the winners and runner-up.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Youth and Sports Minister Tejulal Chaudhary, ANFA President Pankaj Nembang, were among the dignitaries present at the full-house stadium to watch the final match.

Nepal lost in the final for the sixth time, four times to India and two times, including this one, to Bangladesh. India have won the championship five times while Bangladesh made it two in a row, after winning in 2022.

Host Nepal had made it to the final after defeating five-time champions India 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the semi-final. Bangladesh eased to the finals following a 7-1 win against Bhutan.

Around 200,000 garlands of makhamali flowers are to be exported for Tihar festival this year.

According to the Floriculture Association of Nepal, 150,000 garlands of makhamali flower were exported last year.

Association Chairperson Dilip Bade said there is a demand for garlands of makhamali flowers especially in the US, Japan, Australia, Korea and some countries in Europe as well as in the gulf. 

Demand for such garlands has been increasing in other countries with an increasing number of Nepalis residing.

Floriculture has expanded in 52 districts including Kathmandu Valley, Kaski, Chitwan, Makawanpur, Kavrepalanchowk, Gulmi, Palpa, Dhading and Morang. However, the country has not become self-dependent on Sayapatri or marigold flowers used during Tihar festival.

Around four million garlands of marigold have been estimated for this year's Tihar festival. However, only 2.5 million garlands are produced in the country. The insufficient number of marigold flower garlands have to be imported from India, added the Association.

Chair Bade mentioned that demand for marigold flowers is increasing by 15 to 20 percent every year. There is a demand of 700,000 more garlands this year as compared to previous year.  Around 3.3 million garlands were demanded in Tihar last year.

The floriculture sector suffered a loss of Rs 150 million this year due to incessant rainfall that occurred in the last week of September.

A total of 450 species of flowers are being produced commercially in Nepal and more than 44,000 people have benefitted from this business, according to the Association.  Floriculture is carried out on 221 hectares of land in Nepal.

Nepal's swashbuckling performance in the ongoing SAFF Women Championship secured their entry to the final.

Nepal defeated India in the semifinal, securing the berth to the final on Sunday.

Nepal won 4-2 in the tiebreaker.

In the match played at Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwor, none of the team made a goal in the first half, while they had 1-1 in the second half.

Sabitra Bhandari 'Samba' scored a goal for Nepal as soon as the second half began.

Nepal will lock their horns with Bangladesh in the final.

Bangladesh had entered the final by defeating Bhutan on Sunday itself. Bangladesh defeated Bhutan 7-1 in the semifinal.

Newly amended laws in Nepal to tackle crimes committed during its decade-long bitter civil war could instead deprive victims of justice and grant amnesty to those culpable, rights lawyers warned Thursday.

Both government forces and former rebels are accused of carrying out torture, killings, rapes and forced disappearances during Nepal's Maoist insurgency.

The conflict ended in 2006 with a peace deal that brought the rebels into government and promised justice for the victims, whick included more than 16,000 dead and around 1,000 missing.

Nepal's two transitional justice commissions began operating in 2015, but failed to resolve a single case, despite receiving over 60,000 complaints of murders, torture and unexplained disappearances.

In August, parliament passed long-delayed amendments to the transitional justice act aiming to address this.

But a team of international rights lawyers, in a report released Thursday and based on a research mission to Nepal, warned the changes could do the opposite and exclude "swathes of victims" from justice.

The lawyers added that the new law "permits amnesties which would prevent criminal accountability for gross violations of human rights".

The lawyers said that until addressed, the "doors to the regular justice system should not be closed".

The group was supported by rights organisation Peace Brigades International (PBI).

Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena, a constitutional lawyer from Sri Lanka, and part of the team, said effective justice was not possible so long as the law "excludes certain gross violations, opens the door for amnesties and allows for the exclusion of certain victims".

Just two convictions related to crimes committed during the civil war crimes have been handed down in civilian courts. One was linked to the murder of a teenage girl. The other was related to the killing of a journalist.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel has urged international investors to invest in Nepal's information technology (IT) sector with confidence adding that there is immense potential for investment and high returns in this sector.

At an interaction program organized by the American Chamber of Commerce and Industries today, Minister Paudel urged the investors to invest in Nepal's physical infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, energy and other sectors, and take benefits from the investment.

Likewise, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Dhakal shared that there are good investment opportunities in Nepal's hydropower and tourism sectors while asking American investors to invest in those areas.

Representatives from multinational companies including Google, Meta, Coca-Cola and others were present on the occasion.

Various programs were organized to observe World Polio Day on Thursday.

In his video message on this occasion, Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has urged one and all to contribute to the global campaign to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio).

Through the message, he has called on all parents/guardians to ensure a full-course of polio vaccination for their children within a year of the birth, supporting make the campaign successful.

Expressing his concerns over the detection of sporadic cases of polio in the country, the minister said this suggests the polio risk in the country.  He added that some countries in the world have also reported the presence of poliovirus, highlighting its global risk. He insisted on its eradication across from the world.

The poliovirus is spread person-to-person through a fecal-oral route and by the consumption of polluted food and water.

The oral polio vaccine is administered to a child at six, 10 and14 weeks and the inactivated polio vaccine is given twice: at 14 weeks and nine months.

Chief of Child Health and Immunization Section, Department of Health Services, Dr Abhiyan Gautam, said though people of all age groups may get polio, it mainly affects children under five.

This devastating disease is highly contagious and its symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, body ache and fatigue and the severity can lead to irreversible paralysis and even death.

It can be prevented through vaccination and the maintenance of personal hygiene; intake of purified water and hygienic food are recommended for minimizing its risk.

It may be  noted that with the detection of poliovirus in sewage samples collected from Teku, the confluence of Tukucha and Bagamti rivers last July, the government had launched a special polio vaccination drive, targeting children under five in the three districts of Kathmandu  Valley. 

The rise of populism and a crowded political culture threaten Nepal’s democracy. Although this perspective may be controversial, I believe in the need for a transparent and democratic political system that allows Nepalis to thrive in diverse ways. Nepali voters are understandably frustrated with current governance and political instability. However, it is alarming when educated and influential figures fuel political division, spread populist ideas, and engage in conspiracy theories—actions that undermine Nepali democracy. Nepal is still on its path to becoming a fully democratic state, and this journey may take generations. This does not mean Nepal’s democracy has failed; rather, it is evolving. Several factors, however, have weakened Nepal's democratic system, including the rise of populist trends, radical political groups, and the constant shifts in agendas since the 1990s reforms. Traditional political ideas have also struggled to uphold democratic values, causing a rift between voters and political parties.

In recent years, populism has gained momentum in Nepal’s political landscape. Notable figures like Rabindra Mishra, a former journalist, entered politics with strong anti-corruption rhetoric, earning public trust. Yet, his shift from democratic to authoritarian ideologies exposed him as a deceptive leader. TV journalist Rabi Lamichhane entered politics with vague and false promises, using his media influence to gain power without offering clear policies. He quickly became one of the most controversial figures, embroiled in scandals involving passport fraud, citizenship issues and financial misconduct. Lamichhane founded the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which performed well in the 2081 general election and attracted educated candidates. However, the RSP remains a populist party without a solid ideology, relying on blame tactics and controversial leadership. Lamichhane's involvement in coalition politics appears to be a strategy to shield himself from legal consequences, and his negative populist rhetoric continues to endanger Nepal’s democratic and legal system.

Recently, authorities arrested Lamichhane for his alleged involvement in a credit union fraud scheme, based on evidence collected by a parliamentary investigative committee and the police. Although the investigative process may lack full transparency, his arrest was properly carried out by government authorities and investigative bodies. Unfortunately, many of his political supporters, including some self-proclaimed intellectuals from his party, took to the streets and engaged in violent protests. This behavior presents a serious threat to Nepali democracy and the rule of law.

As a journalist, Lamichhane loudly criticized other political parties for violent or unethical actions. Now that he faces similar accusations, it raises questions about his integrity. It is crucial to remember that other high-profile political leaders are currently in jail, and their party members have not interfered with police investigations or the judicial process. Nepali leaders and the public must recognize that Lamichhane is not above the law and must cooperate with government and legal institutions like anyone else.

Nepal’s democracy has faced challenges from both radical left- and right-wing ideologies. Some leaders cling to outdated beliefs in socialism or communism, despite these systems failing in countries like China, Russia, Israel, India and the UK. Others advocate for a return to monarchy, an idea that has been tried and failed. These are merely opportunistic attempts to gain power. 

Meanwhile, democratic leaders have struggled to meet the Nepali people’s expectations. The bureaucracy remains inefficient, and successive governments have failed to address the country’s social, economic and foreign policy challenges. Since the 1990s, Nepal has dealt with crises like the Maoist insurgency and regional conflicts, yet political leaders have not been able to offer a unified, long-term vision for the country’s progress.

The rise of populism and divisive political culture poses a significant threat to Nepal’s fragile democracy. While frustration over current political instability is understandable, influential figures fueling populist sentiments and spreading conspiracies undermine the democratic process. Figures like Mishra and Lamichhane have introduced dangerous populist trends that distract from the real progress Nepal needs. Lamichhane's recent legal troubles and the violent protests from his supporters demonstrate how populist leaders can destabilize the rule of law. No one, including prominent leaders, should be above the law. Both the public and political figures must prioritize the integrity of democratic institutions over personal ambitions. For Nepal to move forward, leaders must provide transparent governance and long-term visions, while the public must stay vigilant against populist movements that offer no real solutions. True progress lies in a unified commitment to democratic values and accountability.

Views are personal

China has sought Nepal’s support in its bid to maintain peace by ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and growing crisis in the Middle East. 

Chen Gang, a member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made such a statement during talks with top leaders of major political parties. Chen, who is also secretary of the CPC Qinghai provincial committee, led a delegation that visited Nepal Oct 19 to 20.

The Chinese delegation discussed the current global crisis, including the ongoing wars, and informed us about Beijing’s attempts to end the war, said a Nepali leader requesting anonymity, asking Nepal for support in its peace bid and hailing Nepal as a land of peace where Gautam Budha was born.

Both in the Russia-Ukraine war and in the Mideast, China is playing the peacemaker by leveraging its clout. Both Russia and Ukraine recognize the importance of including Beijing in their negotiations. The Chinese delegation, during the interaction with Nepal’s communist parties, discussed a range of bilateral issues, including Xi Jinping’s short visit to Nepal in 2019. 

According to Xinhua, during the stay in the Himalayan country, the CPC delegation had exchanges with leaders of Nepal’s political parties and attended a briefing on the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Committee, which was focused on sharing the opportunities brought by the Chinese-style modernization and deepening the trans-Himalayan cooperation.

In meetings and exchanges with the CPC delegation, the Nepali side reaffirmed commitment to the one-China policy and expressed the willingness to further strengthen inter-party exchanges with the Chinese side, and to deepen cooperation in various fields, promoting the continuous development of relations between the two countries, Xinhua reports. 

According to Nepali leaders, the Chinese side focused on enhancing ties on multiple fronts, including in the agriculture sector. Of late, the Chinese side is expressing readiness to support Nepal's agriculture sector but Nepal has not come up with any concrete proposal. A few weeks ago, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Cheng Song had said that his country was ready to lend support to Nepal for establishing a fertilizer plant. Unlike the previous delegation, this delegation did not raise the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a leader. 

Of late, CPC has stepped up engagement with Nepal’s political parties and the government.

Nepal has established legal frameworks to combat corruption, yet it remains deeply embedded within political and institutional frameworks. This entrenchment is particularly evident when high-ranking elected leaders openly defend corrupt actors.

Policy corruption refers to manipulation of public policies for private gains. It has surged in Nepal because of several interrelated factors: parliamentary affairs buckling down to party whips and whims, the increasing dependency of civil society groups on international assistance at the expense of their autonomy and the loss of credibility within Nepal’s highly politicized judiciary. Institutions that are supposed to check executive powers are either failing to do their jobs or have become part of the kleptocratic network. As a result, budget (policy) caters to a significant number of new projects rather than offering directions to complete the existing ones. Funds are mostly directed to projects that are susceptible to theft, rather than those that genuinely serve the public interest. This leads to a decline in investments in essential social sectors such as education and health. For instance, Nepal’s federal education budget decreased from 15.66 percent of total expenditure in fiscal year 2013-14 to just 11.27 percent in 2023-24, reaching the lowest 5.18 percent in 2017-18. While the health sector budget rose from three percent in 2017-18 to 8.6 percent in 2021-22—likely due to the pressing need to respond to Covid pandemic—it subsequently dropped to 5.8 percent in 2023-24. These allocations fall significantly short of comparable international benchmarks for investment in essential social sectors.

Public procurement is one of the important government functions. It is also one of the most vulnerable public functions because it receives a substantial portion of public funds, accounting for nearly 25 percent of the total public expenditure. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), if principal debt payments are excluded, this figure can go as high as 50 percent. Regardless, the share of procurement in public expenditure is significant and it is likely to grow. However, the credibility of public procurement has declined, and the process has become cumbersome and expensive, increasing incentives to bypass established protocols by offering favors to public officials. This trend has been amplified by a growing nexus between government and the private sector, exemplified by the increasing number of lawmakers representing the business community. Many elected officials have openly promoted their personal businesses while serving in public office, further blurring the lines between private gain and public responsibility.

According to a study conducted by the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal (FCAN), eight construction entrepreneurs won seats in the House of Representatives in the 2022 general election. Eleven others secured provincial assembly seats. Additionally, in the local body elections held in May 2022, 247 contractors got elected, including 104 as mayors or chairpersons. Furthermore, 129 contractors were elected as ward chairpersons, 14 as ward members and two as district coordination committee members. Recently, the chairperson of a prominent construction company was appointed Minister for Urban Development. The minister continued to run his business and made decisions that benefited his company

Both the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and its associated regulations brought a year later grant significant discretionary authority to public officials. As a result, decisions regarding the types and locations of projects—airports and view towers come to mind—often lack a scientific basis. This discretionary authority arises primarily from deliberately ambiguous language within the laws. The procurement laws, for example, are filled with terms that can be manipulated for personal gain, such as “as prescribed” (‘tokiye bamojim’) and “maybe” (garina sakine cha). Notably, the term “as prescribed” appears 62 times, while "maybe” is mentioned 67 times in the procurement regulations.

It is striking that, in a country where policymaking tends to be slow, the procurement regulations have been amended 13 times since their introduction in 2008. Notably, six of these amendments (from the 6th to the 11th) occurred within just one year. Among these changes, the most controversial pertained to the criteria for assessing the financial qualifications of bidders, which have been altered multiple times. Other amendments permitted businesses to extend project timelines and raised the upper threshold for domestic-only competition. One particular amendment restricted competition by only allowing a select few businesses to bid for projects up to Rs 5bn. It is evident many of these amendments were not implemented to serve the national interest but rather to favor one or two particular companies.

While many scholars agree that the primary objectives of public procurement should be to support the acquisition of quality goods and services at competitive costs in a timely manner, the prevailing focus in Nepal tends to be on low-cost bidding. Technical evaluation is part of the process, but it is often discarded after preliminary screening. Although the law does not explicitly require a need to prioritize the lowest cost, this approach is how oversight institutions typically evaluate procurement activities. As a result, contractors are incentivized to underbid, only to seek contract extensions at higher costs later on.

Public procurement is indeed a daunting task. For public officials, fear of punitive measures sometimes works as a deterrent. The incumbent Minister for Health and Population has noted that some existing legal provisions can frustrate good intentions. He explained how the ministry was unable to use life-saving equipment due to an ongoing investigation into the procurement process.

The minister’s call for safeguarding good intentions and developing a clear understanding of how to make procurement transparent makes sense. One effective way to begin this process is by facilitating dialogues around bills both before and after they are tabled in the parliament. We must find innovative ways to bring good people to policymaking at all levels. This approach can also help ensure that these bills do not become overly centered on individual or party interests.

The author is the executive director of Niti Foundation

Nepal defeated the USA in the Super Over in the second match of the T20I Series held in Dallas on Sunday.

With this, Nepal have won the series against the USA with one match left.  

After winning the toss, Nepal chose to bat first and scored 170 runs by losing six wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Kusham Bhurtel scored highest 92 runs hitting seven fours and six sixes for Nepal.

Similarly, Anil Shah made 25 runs and Gulsan Jha and Rohit Paudel contributed 11 and 18 runs respectively.

The match was tied after the USA scored 170 runs by losing eight wickets in the allotted overs.

Andries Gous scored the highest 62 runs for the USA.

Likewise, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Milinda Kumar and Shayan Jahangir made 47, 15 and 14 runs respectively.

In the first match, Nepal thrashed the USA by 17 runs.

Meanwhile, in the Super Over, Sompal Kami managed to take two wickets in four balls.

The USA had challenged three runs in four balls in the Super Over.

Chasing the target of three runs in the Super Over, Nepal won by playing four balls.

Along with this, Nepal won the series.

Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel batted in the Super Over.

Nepal defeated the USA in the first T20 Series by 17 runs.

In the match played at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the USA scored 147 runs by losing seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs against the target of 165 runs posted by Nepal.

Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee took three wickets while Karan KC, Rijan Dhakal and Gulsan Jha took one each.

Batting first, Nepal posted 164 runs by losing nine wickets in 20 overs. Nepal's captain Rohit Poudel contributed the highest 49 runs for Nepal's victory while Dipendra made 28 runs.

Likewise, Asif Sheikh and Anil Shah contributed 27 runs.

For the USA, Shayan Jahangir made the highest score for the team by contributing 60 runs. 

Nepal and the USA are scheduled to play three T20 matches. After that, both Nepal and the USA would participate in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League-2.

Following the severe floods and landslides in different parts of Nepal, Russian officials expressed their sincere condolences to the government and the friendly people of Nepal.

The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to President of Nepal Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Chairperson of the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament, the Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko forwarded a similar message to the Chairperson of the National Assembly of Nepal Narayan Prasad Dahal.

Likewise, Chairman of the lower house of the Russian Parliament, the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin expressed his condolences to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal Devraj Ghimire.

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal Aleksei A. Novikov sent a letter of condolences to the Foreign Minister of Nepal Arzu Rana Deuba as well.

The national flags of Russia were lowered in the Embassy compound and at the Ambassador’s residence in Kathmandu in order to mourn the victims of the calamity.

Firms with foreign direct investment repatriated Rs 10.07bn in fiscal year 2023/24. This represents a decline of 27.23 percent compared to fiscal year 2021/22, when foreign investors repatriated Rs 13.84bn.

According to Foreign Investment in Nepal-2024, published by the Department of Industry (DoI), 86.7 percent of the dividend in 2023/24, or Rs 9.34bn, was repatriated by investors in the manufacturing sector. Twenty manufacturing industries with FDI repatriated dividends during the year. Likewise, foreign investors in eight energy sector companies took home Rs 367.6m.

The report states that the number of manufacturing industries repatriating dividends reached 43, up from 41 in the previous fiscal year. Since a lion's share of FDI in Nepal is in the manufacturing sector, it tops the list of sectors in terms of dividend repatriation.

Eight service sector industries and five tourism firms reported Rs 277.91m and Rs 55.45m in dividends in the review year. In 2022/23, ten service firms repatriated Rs 1.12bn, while six tourism firms sent back Rs 81.34m.

Firms in the infrastructure and mineral sectors did not make any dividend repatriations this year, according to the report. In 2022/23, one infrastructure firm had repatriated Rs 19.89m.

The report states that agricultural firms have repatriated dividends for the first time in three years. Rijal Tashi Industries, which has FDI from Bhutan, repatriated Rs 25m in 2023/24.

Dividend repatriation by investors in the IT sector fell significantly to Rs 9.3m in the current fiscal year.

In fiscal year 2022/23, investors in the manufacturing sector repatriated Rs 8.80bn, followed by the ICT sector, with Rs 3.67bn in dividends repatriated.

In FY 2021/22, foreign investors repatriated Rs 13.68bn in dividends. Manufacturing sector investors took back Rs 8.63bn that year, while those in the ICT sector repatriated Rs 4.80bn. During the year, 38 firms with foreign investment repatriated dividends, according to the report.

Dabur Nepal and Unilever are among the manufacturing companies that repatriated high dividends during fiscal year 2023/24. Asian Paints, Berger, and KNP Nerolac also repatriated significant dividends during the review year, according to an official from the DoI.

Likewise, firms sent abroad Rs 2.79bn in royalties in the first eight months of fiscal year 2023/24. According to the report, 115 manufacturing firms sent Rs 2.47bn, followed by tourism and energy-based firms, which sent Rs 129.97m and Rs 123.18m, respectively.

Nepal is set to receive Rs 1.6bn from carbon trade within a month. 

According to REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Implementation Center under the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Nepal is receiving the amount for reducing carbon dioxide through forests in 13 Tarai districts between 2018 and 2024. The country is receiving this amount for sequestering 2.4m tons of carbon over six years in the 13 districts from the Bagmati river to the Mahakali river under the Tarai Arc Landscape Program. According to the unit, the ministry will receive the amount within October. Nepal is receiving $5 for every ton of carbon sequestered.

Badri Raj Dhungana, spokesperson for the Forest Ministry, said the initial agreement with the World Bank stipulated that the funds would come through the Forest Development Fund. However, the Finance Ministry insisted that such funds should come through the Consolidated Fund as per the country’s legal provisions and then be transferred to the Forest Development Fund. As per the agreement with the World Bank, 80 percent of the funds received from carbon trading must be spent on local  indigenous communities. “The government has already prepared and approved a plan for this,” said Dhungana.

The government brought National REDD+ Strategy and National Forest Reference Level in 2018 for carbon trading. Subsequently, a benefit-sharing plan for carbon trading was prepared for the 13 Tarai districts under the Emission Reduction Program from 2019 to 2024. 

Chief of the center, Navaraj Pudasaini, said the program has been implemented in 1.7m hectares across 13 districts. On an average, 167 tons of carbon is sequestered per hectare in Nepal’s forest areas. “The goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 34.2m tons by 2028 through the Emission Reduction Program in 13 Tarai districts,” he added.

According to some conservative estimates, forests in Nepal reduced carbon emissions by 2.3m tons in 2023.

Another LEAF deal

A market-oriented and results-based public partnership mechanism of 25 major corporations and 26 forest governments, the LEAF Coalition has received funding commitments from four governments.

Ghana, Brazil and Costa Rica have already signed agreements under the LEAF Coalition and determined carbon prices. The Forest Ministry has announced that Nepal is preparing to sign such an agreement during the 29th International Conference on Climate Change to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov 11 to 22. Pudasaini said preparations were underway for carbon sale from forests in Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.

According to this agreement, which lasts until 2028, Nepal will sequester 7m tons of carbon in 3.2m hectares of forestland in these three provinces and will receive $100m for this in return. The rate for carbon sequestration is $25 per ton for corporations and $10 per ton for sovereign nations.

Carbon trading expert and former joint-secretary at the Forest Ministry, Purushottam Ghimire, said that the success of carbon trading can only be achieved if the forest ministry moves forward with the private sector. “Carbon trading is not possible without involving the private sector. After allowing the private sector, they should be regulated within the legal framework. Main thing is, they need to be given freedom in the rest of the work. The ministry should not interfere in every aspect,” he added. 

Nepal ranks as the world’s highest remittance-receiving country, according to the World Bank, with remittance inflows playing a vital role in sustaining household expenses. The ‘Nepal Development Update: International Migration and its Impact on Nepal’, published Wednesday, highlights that remittances contribute over a quarter of Nepal’s GDP, the highest ratio globally. This figure is nearly three times that of Pakistan, South Asia’s second-largest remittance recipient, where remittances account for 7.8 percent of GDP.

The report notes that remittance growth has strengthened Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves, with official remittance inflows recently reaching a nine-year high. It further emphasizes that remittances have significantly reduced poverty, cutting it by over 30 percent between 2011 and 2023.

David Sislen, the World Bank’s National Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, praised Nepal’s reliance on foreign workers’ remittances. He stressed the importance of improving remittance management, fostering a robust domestic economy, and creating conditions that allow Nepalis to thrive both at home and abroad.

During a panel discussion titled ‘Making the Most of International Migration in Nepal’, Nepal Rastra Bank’s Deputy Governor, Dr Neelam Dhungana, discussed plans to increase remittance utilization, including encouraging formal remittance channels and offering a one percent additional interest rate for fixed deposit remittance accounts. Dr Dhungana also highlighted efforts to channel remittances into productive sectors.

Economic growth projected at 5.1 percent for 2024

Nepal’s economic growth is expected to rise, with the World Bank projecting a 5.1 percent growth rate for the fiscal year 2024, up from 3.9 percent in 2023. The increase is attributed to higher tourist arrivals, expanded hydropower production, and a boost in rice production. The report anticipates that Nepal’s economy will grow by 5.5 percent in 2025, largely driven by the private sector, thanks to a flexible monetary policy and relaxed regulatory provisions.

While the growth forecast does not factor in the impact of recent floods and landslides, the World Bank expects the construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade sectors to benefit from Nepal Rastra Bank’s policies. A projected 30 percent increase in tourism arrivals in 2024 is also set to stimulate growth in the service, transport, housing, and food sectors.

Hydropower production is forecasted to rise by 450 megawatts, while rice production is expected to grow by 4.3 percent, providing additional economic support. Sislen underscored the importance of maintaining this growth pace, calling for improvements in infrastructure, governance, human capital, and the private sector.

Inflation forecast

The World Bank forecasts inflation to hover around five percent in 2025 and 4.5 percent in 2026, following rates of 7.7 percent in 2023 and 5.4 percent in 2024. Private sector consumption is expected to rise by 1.8 percent in the 2024/25 fiscal year, with government sector consumption projected to increase by 5.8 percent. The current account surplus is expected to remain at 2.6 percent of GDP, and government revenue is predicted to grow by 20 percent.

Risks in the financial system

The report also highlights several risks to Nepal’s financial system, including high levels of non-performing loans that limit private sector credit growth, policy discontinuity that may hinder investment, and delays in capital expenditure implementation affecting infrastructure development. Additionally, regional instability and trade disruptions could negatively impact tourism and domestic demand.

The report also warns that economic shocks in Gulf countries and Malaysia, which host many Nepali migrant workers, could reduce remittance inflows, impacting household consumption, poverty alleviation, and human capital development. Migration from Nepal remains costly and unequal, with a challenging process for many.

Despite these risks, Vice-president of the National Planning Commission, Dr Shivraj Adhikari, remains optimistic. He emphasized Nepal’s gradual economic improvement, pointing to capital expenditure increases and budgetary process reforms as key steps towards macroeconomic stability. “The domestic product will increase, and more jobs will be created,” he stated.