Nepal stands for sovereignty and territorial integrity

Kathmandu, Feb. 27: On Tuesday, Nepal voted in favour of 'Advancing a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine' – a United Nations General Assembly resolution – while its two giant neighbours-- China and India-- abstained from voting.  

From the South Asian region, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives sided with the resolution that favoured war-torn Ukraine against Russia that launched a full-fledged armed war against the former on February 24, 2022. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also abstained. 

This diplomatic maneuver of Nepal at the world's apex body has reignited a discourse on which side should the country have stood with some suggesting 'an abstention' would have been the best in such a case.

February 24 marked the day since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour three years ago. Although the resolution, proposed by Ukraine and co-sponsored by many European nations, is not legally binding, only 93 countries voted in favour of it while 18 voted against and 65 abstained.

Kul Chandra Gautam, former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, tweeted on Wednesday that he was proud of Nepal's stand at the UNGA. "Proud of Nepal's vote at UNGA defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and condemning the Russian invasion. Thanx @MofaNepal and @NepalUNNY for this principled position in line with Panchsheel and @UN Charter enshrined in Nepal's Constitution," he wrote on X.

Russia or the USA?

The sudden change in the opinion of the United States of America on the situation has created an awkward situation for many. It has also made a section of Nepalis uncomfortable. Nepal's stand on the issue is straight-forward condemnation of any aggression against small nations by powerful nations. 

Three years ago, on March 2, 2022, Nepal also sided with Ukraine and voted against the Russian invasion at the UNGA along with other 141 countries. Then, only five countries -Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria - opposed the resolution but this time Russia has increased its allies at the UN. The number has reached 18 this time including the USA, Belarus, Sudan, Israel, Niger and Nicaragua. 

India and China, including other 34 countries, abstained from voting in 2022 as well. 

The USA's siding with Russia this time has created not only a massive shift on the issue but also instilled a fear among the smaller nations. Even the US pampered Taiwan is 'suspicious' about its allies. The international affairs have, of late, turned to a 'might-based' one from the 'rule-based'.  

The recent developments have ignited discussions globally about the future of international alliances and the importance of upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially that of the smaller nations, in the face of aggression.

Stating that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has created devastating and long-lasting consequences for Ukraine and global stability, the resolution called for a commitment to 'the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders'. 

It also emphasised the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed under international law, through 'fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at national and international level'.

Revamp in foreign policy

"It seems that powerful countries are putting efforts to fulfill their national interest even at the cost of their neighbours and international order. The world has become multipolar," said Deep Kumar Upadhyay, former ambassador of Nepal to India. 

He suggested a massive revamp of Nepal's foreign policy. 

This is necessary to make the country's policy fit to the rapidly changing global scenario, international priorities and conflicting national interest as well as trade wars, he added 

According to Upadhyay, Nepal should immediately convene a policy dialogue to formulate new orientations to the foreign affairs. "We must not fail to make informed decisions because the situation has turned into a serious one where even the bilateral cooperation could be considered as a 'criminal' one," he said. 

Nepal voted for Nepal

Vijay Kant Karna, former ambassador to Denmark, maintained that 'Nepal's position on the UN resolution' doesn't reflect the total orientation of foreign policy. "Nepal not only voted for Ukraine but for itself. It was the vote against any aggression against the sovereignty, security. 

Such aggression should be condemned at the people's level," he said. 

He maintained that the super powers did not express their concerns to Nepal voting on the war in the past and will not do so this time as well. 

Tuesday's resolution also witnessed traditional US allies like Canada, the UK and France not siding with the former but against the aggression. 

Shambhu Ram Simkhada, former ambassador of Nepal to the UN, said that Nepal's position was the right one as it was about saving the sovereignty of Ukraine and ending the war to establish peace in the region. 

According to him, South Asian is also divided on the issue with smaller nations siding with Ukraine and large countries abstaining from voting. "It's unlikely to create any diplomatic maladies for Nepal in future," he said.