Nepal is for rule-based multilateralism

Kathmandu, July 9

Nepal has always advocated the rule-based multilateralism in its diplomatic exercises, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali.

"The world is increasingly moving to the deal-based order from the rule-based order as the superpower countries are pushing their national interest through bilateral deals," he said at the launching ceremony of 'Nepalko Kutneetik Abhyas: Rajdootharuko Anubhav' (Nepal's Diplomatic Exercise: Experience of Ambassadors) on Tuesday.

According to him, the small countries are feeling the heat of their disputes. But Nepal is clear that it must not harm other countries while achieving the national goals and interest.

"This is our international obligation and responsibility," he said.

FM Gyawali said that the crux of foreign affairs was to maintain and promote national interest during difficult situation,

"Ambassadors do not always get chance to work in a pleasant weather. There might be turbulent times when the country is affected by internal and international affairs. So, it is important how they promote national interest during those situations,"

Stating that the situation of the country has not yet become normal, he pointed towards the need to promote economic interest of the country at the international level in order to support the national development endeavours.

Minister Gyawali said that knowledge of the issue, integrity and innovativeness were the fundamental elements for a successful diplomacy.

"An ambassador must have the knowledge of the policy principles and priorities of the country and must be aware of the convergence and collision of the national interest," he said. "Similarly, a couple of our ambassadors were called back due to integrity issues. Therefore, the envoys must follow the basic guidelines for national interest and make timely decisions."

According to him, the conflict of interest must be discouraged in diplomacy.

He lauded the book for having the picture of the past 50-year history of Nepal's foreign affairs. The book has the anthology of experiences of 20 former ambassadors.

Commenting on the book, senior journalist Yubaraj Ghimire said that the book would help in institutionalising the foreign affairs of the country.

"It is unfortunate that we don't have institutional memory about foreign affairs. I hope that this book will fill the gap to some extent," he said.

He stated that whatever the interest of the ambassadors, they must give supreme priority to the national interest.

Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shankar Das Bairagi said the book was a step towards institutionalising the memory in the diplomatic sector.

Bishnu Rijal, editor of the book, said that the book had tried to include the eldest Nepalese ambassadors. "But unfortunately we couldn't include women envoys," he said.

The book is published by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA).

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 July 2019.