NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

Salient Features Of Nepal's Foreign Policy

By BISHNU PRASAD UPADHYAY

The foreign policy of a country is premises on its political, economic, cultural, historical, religious, intellectual and geographical background. The history of Nepal's relations with neighbouring countries goes back to ancient times. Since the emergence of Gorkha power in 18th century, however, contours of a coherent foreign policy started becoming more visible.

In his Dibya Upadesh, King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, the founder of modern Nepal, described the country as a yam between two boulders, whose position was always in peril in the midst of the collision of the two big powers in the north and south. In Nuwakot palace, he had in a conversation with his courtiers asserted: "The emperor of the south is very cunning, he has captured the whole of Hindustan. Nepalis have to keep amicable relations with them. We have warm relations with the emperor of the north."

From the 18th century to the 20th century, Nepal saw vicissitudes in its relations with the north and indirect subjugation from British colonialists in the south. After the 1950-51 revolution, when Nepal freed itself from the clutches of the Rana oligarchy, its foreign relations grew wider. Under the last Rana ruler, Mohan Shamsher, Nepal sought to develop friendly relations with China, the United States, Brazil and France. Nepal had been endeavouring to obtain membership of the United Nations. However, the Soviet Union's veto against Nepal's application thwarted its membership bid.

After the country gained UN membership in 1955, the door of Nepalese foreign policy was opened wider. Nepal affirmed its commitment to and agreed to follow the rules and principles of the UN Charter.

Participating in many conferences, Nepal reaffirmed its determination to follow a policy of non-alignment and anti-colonization and began raising its voice against expansionism, neo-colonialism and apartheid. Because of its policy of non-alignment, Nepal has been successful in strengthening its independence. Nepal's foreign policy is different from those of big powers. The country is aloof from any form of international groupism. But this does not mean that the country is in quarantine and disinterested in any international event. Rather it is in favour of international justice.

By espousing non-alignment, Nepal has been successful in establishing amicable relations with more than 100 countries. The country has opened 17 residential embassies abroad. Nepalese delegations have been attending meetings, seminars, conferences and summits convened by the United Nations. At such gatherings, Nepal has expounded the guiding principles of its foreign policy.

Nepal accepts the UN Charter as the basis for the maintenance of international peace, security and stability. The country is against any form of power alliances and blocs. After the Second World War in 1945, alliances like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and South East Asian Treaty Organization were formed. Nepal has kept itself out of such groups.

Nepal has vigorously and consistently raised its voice against apartheid at the UN General Assembly, Security Council and international conferences. The country has remained a firm opponent of discrimination based on race, class, ethnicity or any other attribute.

The country is a forceful advocate for human welfare and international peace through a policy of disarmament. Nepal has fought vigorously against the use or threat of use of weapons on human beings in the name of narrow nationalism, expansionism and imperialism.

Another important characteristic Nepalese foreign policy is its diligent espousal at the United Nations and other international forums of the transit rights of landlocked countries. As a country without access to sea, Nepal understands the handicap this group of countries faces in terms of international trade.

Although it was never colonized, Nepal has raised a strong voice against colonialism. The country fervently believes that the colonial expansions that led to the two world wars ó in which millions of people died and millions of others were injured, uprooted and rounded up in concentration camps ó should never be repeated.

In the region, Nepal has adopted a policy of equidistance with India and China. If Nepal were to favour one against the other, the country's national interests would be gravely imperilled. China has a communist government and India follows a democratic political system. The country has established neutrality as a salient feature of its foreign policy.

After the overthrow of the authoritarian Panchayat system in 1990, the country has remained a constitutional monarchy rooted in strong Hindu traditions. Its foreign relations, specially with India and China, are grounded in the traditions of peace, friendship, and tolerance.

Nepal's belief in regional self-reliance thrust it to the forefront of the creation of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation in 1985. Through greater understanding, cultural exchanges, sharing knowledge, skills and experiences with India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh, Nepal hopes to usher in an era of collective prosperity.

Through 6,000 rivers and rivulets flowing across the country, Nepal possesses vast water resources. Moreover, the country has an abundance of sylvan assets and valuable minerals. Nepal expects to harness this natural wealth with the scientific and technical support of foreign countries for mutual benefit.

Nepal opposes any dispute that convulses world peace. The country has consistently raised its voice against the exploitation of small countries by bigger ones and does not tolerate any tyranny on human beings by the military force of powerful nations.

Nepal believes in the doctrine of Panchasheel: a) respect for the sovereignty of other nations b) non-interference in the internal problem of a country c) adherence to the principle of non-aggression d) exchanges for mutual economic and cultural development. e) peaceful co-existence.

By espousing these tenets of foreign policy, Nepal seeks to strengthen international cooperation to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, disease, ignorance and backwardness from the face of the planet.