Need To Follow Balanced Foreign Policy

Nepal has always followed a balanced foreign policy, not taking any sides of one country or the other, even in the most difficult times of international history. One can easily understand the quandary this country faced when it had just opened up its doors to the outside world. Soon after, the Cold War had started with most nations taking the side of one super power or the other. Here, we must remember history and not forget the major contribution of the nation's founding father Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified the till then fragmented Nepal and built this present modern country, where we all live now as sovereign citizens of an independent country.

At the same time, all the Nepali people, no matter where he or she lives at present, must also realise the sage saying of the nation's unifier, who had prophetically said that Nepal was just like a small yam between two huge boulders and thus, we must have a 'balanced' foreign policy while dealing with all other countries of the world, specially our two giant neighbours - India and China. We should not also forget to remember that such an astute geopolitical realisation was made more than two hundred years ago and the world was not what it is now. So having any information of world history and the international balance of power was a 'Herculean' task as the present modern information era, was still only in the imagination of probably a few individuals.

Nonalignment 

But to have such a foreign policy even at that time, helped Nepal a lot in later years after the end of the Second World War and the beginning of a dangerous tussle among the powerful nations, who were once allies with one another while fighting against Germans, who wanted to rule over the entire world, specially its own neighbours in Europe. Nepal, which established democracy in the mid-twentieth century, found that following the non-aligned policy made it easier for it to develop more friendly relations with most countries. So as history has unfolded, it was not surprising to see Nepal one of the early countries to join the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and continue to stick to this principles all the time, which have benefited it in many ways.

Perhaps this staunch belief of Nepal in living peacefully with all, prompted the United Nations (UN) to also look towards Nepal to maintain peace in many areas of the world. First, the Nepal Army and later the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force joined in the efforts of the UN to maintain peace in many hot spots around the world. Our troops and personnel of other security forces have gained much recognition and acclaim for their efficient methods in maintaining peace as per the UN and local needs. The Nepali security contingents also demonstrated their skills, professionalism and a neutral attitude in almost all missions, specially, those in the Middle East countries and violence-torn nations in Africa. Nepal not only gained much respect from the UN, but also from the warring sides in the troubled states, a difficult task to do while dealing with such sensitive issues.

Nepali security personnel have gone to even faraway places like Haiti, East Timor and also the former Yugoslavia, where they again received much respect from all sides. The Nepal Army has proved itself as being not only a totally professional troop in maintaining world peace, but also in coming to the help of its own fellow citizens during disasters that occur from natural calamities, like they are doing now after the recent floods and landslides which have affected the lives of thousands of people. It also does not get into any political controversies like powerful troops do so in other nations. In such countries, we also see and read about many political tussles because of a strong military presence in politics as well. 

At this juncture, most observers have been encouraged by the pragmatic statement of newly elected Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who has firmly stated that any controversy with Nepal's neighbours, regarding border issues, will be solved through diplomatic channels and top level talks. This is exactly the policy a landlocked and small country like Nepal must follow to safeguard its sovereignty and independence. A further boost was given to such an international relations policy of the new government when newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba said that Panchasheel and peaceful co-existence was the 'rock bottom foundation' on which Nepal's foreign policy was based.

Grace period

This clearly shows that the new government is determined to follow this well thought of foreign policy, which has done the country much good even in the most difficult times, when the development goals of a nation and even its existence, depended on which power it sided with. But Nepal sailed smoothly even in this stormy period and maintained good relations with all, which has been well reflected in the generous cooperation it receives from almost all in fulfilling its development goals.

But in this short time when this new government has been in power, questions are also being raised in a heated manner about its success or failure. Many neutral observers have expressed the opinion that not only this government, but any other government, must be given more time to carry forward its plans and programmes before making harsh comments about it. This 'grace period' is something which is given to any government in any part of the world. So this is the least, the opposition parties could do, before attacking the present new government and making all sorts of predictions about its performance. All citizens with some thoughts about the wellbeing of their country, are hoping that this period of political chaos and conflict will end soon and Nepal can move ahead with the task of nation building in a more peaceful and quiet manner, without the constant  protests of the opposition parties. 

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