Foreign Policy Conduct Under PM Oli

The conduct of foreign policy has been an important task of any government. It plays a crucial role in maintaining smooth relations with neighbours and other friendly countries. And it is imperative to assess the operation of the foreign policy of the present coalition led by KP Sharma Oli. There are two strands of arguments about the foreign policy operation of the current government.  Some people argue that the current government has not been able to move foreign policy in a balanced way while others claim that PM Oli has been more successful in conducting foreign policy. 

The Nepali Congress does not appear to have made any comments on this matter due to at least two reasons. First, the foreign policy portfolio has been held by Nepali Congress's central committee member Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba. Second, it is the joint government of the two largest parties in the parliament and in no way can they make mistakes. If that happens it will be disastrous for the country. Whatever the case may be, the fact of the matter is that we cannot make any conclusion in such a short period. Seven months is not enough time to make judgments of the government. But still, if we evaluate the performance of the government in the last seven months, it can be safely said that the Oli-led government has been successful in handling the country's policy. 

Mutual issues 

Last September, PM Oli attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York where he met world leaders. He also met the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines and discussed mutual issues and concerns. Both countries agreed to move developmental activities ahead and review existing problems at the highest level, if there were any. This certainly was much needed between the countries for confidence building as well. Also, whilst in New York, Oli conveyed the message in the august gathering of world leaders. He appealed for peace in the world and sought the peaceful resolution of many issues that have been roiling the countries.

During his sojourn, Oli also raised concerns/issues of the least developed countries like Nepal. He said that the way these countries are being trapped in the broader geopolitical rivalry should be a matter of concern for all of us.  Climate change is another issue he emphatically raised in the global forum, and called upon world leaders to take swift action to reduce the impacts of climate change. Neither the visit nor the statement was ritualistic in the sense that PM Oli raised the genuine concerns of the countries hailing from the global south. Such a statement in the international form certainly bolsters Nepal’s position at the international level.

Of course, people back home are making a lot of comments on the possible visit of Prime Minister Oli to India but the fact remains that while the two prime ministers have met in New York, there is no immediate need to have such meetings. Also, both India and Nepal are on good terms and they both have expressed commitments to resolve the outstanding issues through negotiation. We also have to bear in mind that foreign policy issues cannot be resolved in a day. What is certainly needed is a true commitment on the part of leadership. 

Apart from this, the Oli government has been able to sign the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation Framework with China. This has been lingering for more than seven years and there was mistrust simmering on both sides. Many commentators were of the view that singing BRI would create tension with its immediate and distant neighbour but that didn’t happen. While there are no comments from the part of India. The same goes for the US as well. Nepal needs development and for that, it has the sovereign right to reach out to the countries which are wholeheartedly ready to help. 

The most important part is that there was a lot of confusion at home about the implementation of BRI and this dilemma was laid to rest. The issue of whether Nepal should or should not take a loan from China or should it only accept grants from China has been mutually sorted out. This also shows Nepal’s commitment to treaties/agreements that it enters with other countries. Had this not happened, perhaps, it would have sent the wrong message to the international community.

Diplomatic initiatives 

Apart from this, the Oli government is continuously engaging with other countries around the world and expressing concern for the Nepali state and people. Nepal's foreign minister is constantly in conversation with her counterparts around the world. She has taken several diplomatic initiatives for the early release of Bipin Joshi who has been taken hostage by Hamas. Likewise, the Oli government has also filled the vacancies of the diplomatic positions which have remained vacant for a long period. 

Economic diplomacy has become the top priority of the government. Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are regularly directing Nepali diplomats around the world to steer economic diplomacy ahead. The government has also eased rules and regulations for foreign direct investment and for the first time, Nepal’s sovereign credit ranking has been conducted. By and large, foreign policy has been moving on the right path. With the formation of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML-led government in July 2024, the government has undertaken significant steps in the consolidation of its foreign policy both in the neighbourhood and beyond. When two parties came together – they were able to build up confidence not only in the realm of internal politics but also within the sphere of foreign policy.

(The author was a political advisor to former president Bidya Devi Bhandari.)