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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Nepal PM to resume one-on-one ambassador meetings next week

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Prime Minister Balendra Shah plans to resume one-on-one meetings with selected ambassadors next week, breaking his previous rule of group meetings.
  • The initial plan included meetings with the Indian and Chinese ambassadors, followed by the US Chargé d’Affaires.
  • The shift in approach follows advice from political advisors after the government completed its first 100 days in office.

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to resume one-on-one meetings with select ambassadors next week, marking a departure from his previous policy of holding only group diplomatic engagements. This strategic shift, advised by political aides, aims to foster more direct communication with key foreign representatives.

We could easily sense a kind of excitement among the ambassadors after they were informed about meeting the prime minister. Personally, they had sent private messages to the divisional heads at the foreign ministry and others about the preparation.

— An official at the Ministry of Foreign AffairsDescribing the ambassadors' reaction to the prospect of meeting the prime minister.

The initial schedule prioritizes meetings with the ambassadors of Nepal's two largest neighbors: India and China. Prime Minister Shah is expected to meet Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava and Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming on the same day. Following these, he will meet with the US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Scott Urbom. This approach underscores Nepal's foreign policy emphasis on maintaining balanced relationships with both New Delhi and Beijing.

Shah had previously adhered to a self-imposed rule against individual meetings with Kathmandu-based ambassadors, opting instead for joint sessions. This earlier stance was lauded by some Nepali diplomats and foreign policy experts as promoting transparency and equity. However, after the government marked its first 100 days, advisors recommended engaging more directly with various domestic stakeholders, including business leaders, media, contractors, and ambassadors.

The initial plan to meet the Indian and Chinese ambassadors separately has not changed. While the exact dates have yet to be announced, the meetings, being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are expected to take place next week.

— One of Shah’s aidesConfirming the plan to meet with ambassadors and the expected timeline.

The prime minister's decision to meet ambassadors individually is a direct result of these recommendations. His aides noted that it is natural to begin with India and China, given Nepal's foreign policy priorities. The meetings, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were initially planned but delayed due to communal tensions in the Tarai-Madhesh region. The exact dates are yet to be announced, but they are anticipated to occur within the coming week.

It is only natural to begin with the ambassadors of our two neighbours, India and China, given Nepal’s foreign policy priorities.

— An aideExplaining the rationale behind prioritizing meetings with Indian and Chinese ambassadors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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