Arrogance of a beggar nation’s diplomat!

He is neither a diplomat in truest sense of the term nor he now remains a senior economist, to what he was once upon a time in the bygone era of the erstwhile regime. He is an economist of international repute indeed but an outdated one in today’s completely changed context. He is in effect a "made ambassadorial representative" elevated to this present day rank by the grace of certain powerful quarters in the country to which he used to enjoy in the days of the Panchayat regime. For him, the privilege never ends in this country should he so desire. Fortunate indeed.

He is really a lucky diplomat for he is the single one in this sphere who has ever been allowed to perform as the representative of this country in the countries which he wished. This way he could be considered to be one of the luckiest of all. However, his presence in the countries he was posted did not make any substantial change for this country. No body knows what were his achievements while he was posted as the man of Nepal in the United States. The laymen and the academic sector would love to listen from him his achievements as Nepal’s representative in the United States, if any.

Similarly, he managed his posting in New Delhi the moment he wished so. However, yet again, no body knows as to in what ways he remained instrumental in sorting out the scores of problematic issues that have been confronting the two nations since decades and decades.

Kalapani issue is there. The question of the review of the controversial 1950 treaty remains intact. The Mahakali DPR preparation is there for all to see. The Trade treaty signed in 1996 continues to be interpreted India’s way as and when she so desires. The land encroachment process has not stopped. Of all, the Bhutanese refugee imbroglio remains a burning issue and appears that it will continue to remain, as it is ad infinitum. The bilateral relations continue to be held suspect by the academic sector but on the contrary being given to understand that it is at its best at this juncture which it is not in effect. The Hrithik Roshan issue that soured the bilateral relations still apparently remains though both appear to have decided to forget the matter once and for all.

A country’s representative is the one who enhances the prestige of the country, which sends him abroad. A diplomat is the one who works for the economic, social and other interests of the nation. A member of the diplomatic corps is the one who struggles for his country’s rights and pushes his own country’s ideals and values in the comity of nations or in the nation wherein he is duly posted. An emissary is the one who remains ever alert in taking care of his own country’s interests and supports the delegation at time of bilateral negotiations to bag tangible gains. A diplomat is the one who creates a lobby in the host country in order to press the host government at time of need. A diplomat is the one who remains abreast with the politics of the country wherein he is posted and informs his own government on how it might affect the politics of his own establishment back home. A diplomat is the one who manages a small lobby of the media in the host country in order to push his own country’s ideas and views on a particular event.

He neither created a lobby nor bagged success in clarifying Nepali standpoints. He remained a speechless spectator when his host country flouted the provisions of the 1996 trade treaty as and when it wished to do so. He never uttered a single word on Kalapani nor he talked about the review of the controversial 1950 treaty which majority of the population would wish to see it happening in their remaining lifetime. He never exhibited his interest in convincing his host country to come forward and extend a helping hand in sorting out the refugee issue.

For his Himalayan failures, diplomatically speaking, he is honored with a post that is by all means an unconstitutional one. He is made Ambassador At Large and is entrusted with the duties at par of the Foreign Minister.

The Ambassador At Large the other day lambasted at the international community, read, Germany, the UNHCR and the rest of the International Human Rights Organizations who have recently decried the conclusions of the last joint verification process of the refugees suggesting them all not to meddle in Nepal’s affairs. The made "Ambassador at large" perhaps forgot the fact that those who pointed at the shortcomings of the Khudnabari verification results were apparently supporting his own country to get out of the tricks of the other side. The arrogant diplomat of a donor driven beggar nation forgot that it is not him who will feed the hungry bowls of the refugees staying in Nepal for well over a decade and plus but it is them, read the donors, on whom he attacked so undiplomatically. How could it be considered an act of meddling in Nepali affairs when there is a suggestion to Nepal to remain ever alert at time of the negotiation with the Bhutanese regime regarding the refugee issue? Certainly, the one who foots the bill must express his anxiety over the unnecessary delay in sorting out of the issue that is being overly stretched providing no reasonable and justifiable reasons. The diplomats who expressed their concerns were not fools and hence their outbursts could in no way be out rightly dismissed for so many practical reasons.

Should Thapa regime change, the Ambassador At Large will find his way to some foreign countries leaving the refugees and the Nation to face the music. Nepal at least at this juncture can’t afford to annoy the international community including the UNHCR. The Ambassador at large must understand his own country’s compulsions. Arrogance is permitted but it shouldn’t exceed the permissible limits. It remains to be seen as to how he is treated in Bhutan this round of negotiations.

The Ambassador at large could learn much from his Indian friends posted in Kathmandu on how to work for one’s own country. Indian diplomacy and Indian diplomats deserve appreciation. They work hard and were die-hard nationalists who will never compromise their nation’s prime national interests come what may.

The sum total is that he has already outlived his economic turned diplomatic utility and hence he should quit the post so that some one more competent having knowledge of international relations could take over his present charge. The message is clear.

Headline | National | 5 Question  | 2nd Impression | International | Past