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Kathmandu Saturday November 24, 2001 Marga 09, 2058.
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Nepal’s international
image
By Dr Mohan Lohani
Nepal is known to the international community
as a sovereign independent country situated between the two most populous countries of the
world - China and India. This landlocked country is the world’s only Hindu Kingdom
and the Crown is the symbol of national unity. Nepal, although it is recognized by the
United Nations as one of the least developed among developing countries (LDCs), has been
able to establish its separate identity owing to its rich cultural heritage such as the
birthplace of Lord Buddha and the land of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. In
fact, a large number of tourists who visit this country every year, are immensely
impressed by places, objects and memorials of historical, cultural and archaeological
significance. Likewise, our folk literature, music, arts and dances have lent a unique
dimension to the distinct identity of this country. Despite the fact that we are a
multi-religious, multilingual and multi-ethnic country, different groups and communities
constitute a single family and contribute to national integration. In brief, Buddhism, the
Himalayas and the institution of Monarchy do no represent a particular community or ethnic
group. Everybody takes pride in the country’s precious cultural tradition, values and
institutions.
The foreign policy pursued by Nepal since it
introduced a democratic setup in the early fifties is no less responsible for enhancing
the international image of this country. As all of us are aware the world was divided into
two blocs immediately after the end of the second World War. Some leaders of the Third
World took the initiative to keep away from military alliances and launched the movements
of non-alignment. Nepal was one of the founder members of this movement. The
movement’s basic principles and ideals include non-interference, non-use of force,
respect of each country’s sovereignty, national independence and territorial
integrity and settlement of all disputes by peaceful means. Besides, the policy of
non-alignment presupposes each country’s right to judge an international issue on its
own merit.
Guided by the principles, purpose and ideals
of the non-aligned movement Nepal has established diplomatic relations with more than one
hundred countries during the last five and a half decades. The movement has organised
twelve summits so far and Nepal has participated in these summits at the highest level.
The Nepalese delegation to the Belgrade, Cairo and Lusaka summits was led by the late King
Mahendra, while the late King Birendra led the Nepalese delegation to the six non-aligned
summits from 1973 to 1983 in Algiers, Colombo, Havana, New Delhi, Harare and Belgrade.
Following the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1990, Nepal has continued its
foreign policy based on the UN Charter, Panch Sheel, principles of the non-aligned
movement, world peace and respect for international law. The elected prime minister of the
country has led the Nepalese delegation to the tenth, eleventh and twelfth non-aligned
summits held in Bali, Cartagena and Durban. Nepal has presented its perspective
independently and fearlessly on major issues of global concern and interest in all the
summits mentioned above. Nepal’s participation in these summits at the highest level
since the inception of non-alignment makes it clear that there is consistency in our
policy, perspective and approach irrespective of the political system that has been
adopted by the country. The international community has appreciated the independent stance
taken by this country on outstanding international issues such as arms race, proliferation
of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, growing disparity between rich
and poor nations, problems of poverty, backwardness and destitution in most developing
countries of the Third World.
The pursuit of a non-aligned foreign policy
has enabled Nepal to raise its voice not only against imperialism, colonialism, racism and
racial discrimination but also against all forms of exploitation, oppression and
domination. Nepal has strongly pleaded for general and complete disarmament under overall
control and supervision of the United Nations (UN). Recently, Nepal has condemned the
terrorist attacks on the United States and has supported UN-led campaign and coalition
against international terrorism. Nepal expressed concern over the danger of nuclear
proliferation in South Asia after India and Pakistan, the two influential member states of
SAARC, conducted a series of nuclear tests in 1998. While other SAARC member states are
signatories to NPT and CTBT, both India and Pakistan are under international pressure to
sign the CTBT.
Nepal has vigorously championed the cause of
LDCs and landlocked developing countries ever since it joined the UN in 1955 and became a
founder member of the movement of non-alignment in 1961. In this context, mention must be
made of the special privilege and opportunity provided by the first UN Conference on LDCs
held in 1981 to the late King Birendra to represent the nine LDCs of Asia and the Pacific
region. Only a few years ago, FAO had also invited the late King to address its annual
conference as the Chief Guest. The Royal Address touched upon the challenges of
globalisation to many developing countries, in particular the LDCs which have not yet
developed their competitive capacity to benefit from the positive outcome of
globalisation.
Last but not the least, Nepal has contributed
significantly to world peace by participating in the UN peace missions in several trouble
spots of the world. Nepalese troops as peace-keepers have earned admiration from the
international community for their loyalty, discipline, honesty and above all, their
gallantry in war-torn regions. It is, however, a pity that the country has suffered from
acts of violence, terror and intimidation perpetrated by Maoist insurgents for the last
six years. Nearly two thousand lives have been lost in insurgency and counterinsurgency
operations. All segments of the population, including political parties, intellectuals and
members of civil society, have expressed concern over the incidence of violence and terror
in the country. What is encouraging is that the Maoist insurgents have participated in
talks with the government so as to reach a settlement by peaceful means. The third round
of talks has already been completed, and let us hope that both sides will show flexibility
and maturity in resolving the six year old crisis that has badly hit all aspects of
national life. The lingering crisis on the domestic front will, in no way, boost
Nepal’s international image.
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