Need to assess geopolitical developments focusing on national interest: Foreign Minister Shrestha

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, July 1: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has pointed out the need to assess geopolitical developments keeping national interest in the center.

DPM and Foreign Minister Shrestha viewed so while addressing a seminar "Bridging Generations: Transferring Knowledge on Bilateral and Multilateral Negotiations" organized by Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) on Monday.

"I am of the view that we need to focus on assessing nuances of evolving geopolitical developments, harnessing policy innovation and negotiation skills, and engaging with international community including development partners in line with fundamental national interests of our country and the peoples," said Foreign Minister Shrestha.

In light of economic, technical and military power of Nepal, diplomacy is undoubtedly our first and last line of defense in safeguarding the sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and national independence of the country in the comity of nations, he said.

Highlighting on the role diplomacy and political leadership played to preserve Nepal as the oldest nation in the region by safeguarding sovereignty and independence, DPM Shrestha said, "History is a testimony that several nations, empires, and civilizations have risen up and fallen down. As one of the world's oldest nations, Nepal has undoubtedly witnessed such historical upheavals.

Today, as we continue to grapple with new critical issues and geopolitical rivalries, a diplomat's profession has become all the more important to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity, he viewed.

He said that climate change, cyber security, energy security, transnational organized crimes, artificial intelligence, have become prominent areas of international cooperation and engagements, which demand greater diplomatic acumen and tactfulness.

Foreign Minister Shrestha vowed to work for capacity building of diplomats and related institutions. "We must make sincere efforts to strengthen the capacity of our diplomats and institutions in order to overcome these structural barriers to a forward-looking, people-focused and pragmatic diplomacy".

He remarked that the seminar will be helpful in capacity building of the diplomats. "The views and experiences shared by the esteemed senior officials and diplomats will be of paramount value for our young generation of officials and diplomats in tackling all of these governance and foreign policy challenges with confidence."

Secretary at the Foreign Ministry, Sewa Lamsal, IFA Executive Director Prakash Kumar Suvedi and member of Public Service Commission Madhav Belbase also put forth their views in the programme highlighting on the need of diplomacy and negotiations for enhancing Nepal's international stature and development.