Embracing Neutral Foreign Policy

The Non-Aligned Movement or NAM was established barely one decade after the end of the Second World War. Some leaders with much vision and astute maturity on how they could develop their nation without taking any sides were directly involved in this campaign. Credit must go to leaders like the first Prime Minister of India late Jawaharlal Nehru and former President of the then Yugoslavia, late Joseph Tito for establishing this movement. Nepal was also one of the pioneer nations in further strengthening this campaign.

The entire world was in a jittery condition when the devastating World War ended. It was further in trauma when the Western powers led by America and the Eastern powers headed by the then Soviet Union became polarised and ended up in the beginning of the Cold War.

That was the time when many countries suffered from economic woes and only a few seasoned leaders had the vision to lead their nation to economic development without taking any  sides in the Cold War among the then two 'super powers' of the world.

Utter necessity

So one can easily imagine the utter necessity like the Non Aligned Movement, especially for the developing countries which wanted to stay independent and not take any sides. Even presently economic giants like China and India, hoped to make their economies stronger by keeping a non-aligned foreign policy. For Nepal also, which was positioned in a difficult geo-political situation, NAM was of importance, if for nothing, in at least keeping intact its independence and sovereignty.

The polarisation we saw in the past is taking place even now, as we have been witnessing hostile activities of one power or the other in many places, including in fragile states in Asia and Africa. At present as per the predictions of noted intellectuals and senior media persons, there has been even more interest in Nepal because of its strategic geographical situation and thus there has been very frequent visits by all levels of foreign officials from different countries to Nepal to promote their own causes. The leaders here have to stay alert so that the country does not fall into a trap of siding with any one power or the other. It is, therefore, that the importance of NAM is even more crucial not only all over the world, but also in tiny Nepal just because of its geo-political importance.

In this context, it was a wise move on the part of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to go and personally take part in the recently held summit meeting of NAM held in Kampala, the capital city of troubled Uganda in Africa. This scribe remembers the time when he attended the summit meeting of NAM in Bangdung city of Indonesia. This was a historic moment, as the Movement was moved forward from this very City many decades back. It was definitely a rich experience to see many illustrious leaders from many countries in close distance, who had come to attend the meet. This author personally met with the Indian Prime Minister and also the then Afghani Prime Minister and other leaders, when they freely inter-acted with representatives of the international media during their stay there.

Prime Minister Prachanda called for a peaceful solution to the hostility in the Mideast and he also appealed to the international community to provide help to Nepal in its efforts for development. In fact, many were in praise of the sage manner in which he put forth the drawbacks and needs of different countries of the world while at the same time making a poignant point of Nepal needing the cooperation of the international community in different sectors.

Nepal's PM has made it clear what the country has to do internally and how it has to maintain its international relations. This has to be taken seriously by those decision makers within the country as well as diplomats stationed abroad. Like Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neighbouring India has made a point not only within his country but also internationally by keeping his words with the help of millions Indian citizens living abroad helping him in his causes and also the bureaucracy supporting him, it is necessary for our own political parties and also government workers to support what PM Prachanda is trying to do. 

Platform

It is the same with NAM, it provides a platform to the least developed nations and the developing ones, but it is the responsibility of the nations to themselves make life of their citizens better without taking any sides. When the entire world is polarised and under threat, virtually all the people feel very insecure. Right now the relevance of NAM has become even more important because once more we are seeing distinct differences between the major military and economic powers of the world. Nepal too is suffering, not because of a threat of violence, but because young people are abandoning the country for better opportunities abroad. This aspect of a crucial situation has to be also seriously looked into by the government and those who format long term plans for the country.

What the entire world needs right now are prosperity and peace and it is no different with Nepal and many other least developed countries like it. Nobody wants to see the displacement or exodus of its own citizens for different reasons. Now, most nations are seeing the fleeing of people from their own homes and country, mostly because of violence. In Nepal, it is mainly due to economic factors that we are seeing internal migration and also the exodus of young manpower from the country. While it is very pragmatic to be involved in the Non-Aligned Movement, it would also be very prudent to see that the country's citizens also feel secure and be a participant in the prosperity of the nation. 

(The author is former chief editor of this daily.)