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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Nepal's Ambassadorial Selection Nears Final Stage Amidst Lobbying

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the final stages of selecting new ambassadors for 13 countries, including key nations like India, China, and the US.
  • The process, which began with over 4,400 applications, has seen extensive vetting and is now awaiting recommendations from the foreign minister.
  • The government faces pressure to expedite appointments, as many diplomatic missions have been without resident ambassadors since October last year, impacting bilateral relations.

Nepal's quest to fill 13 vacant ambassadorial posts has entered its critical final phase, with the foreign minister expected to present recommendations next week. The selection process, initiated a month and a half ago, began with an open call for applications on May 28, drawing an overwhelming response of over 4,400 candidates for positions in countries including India, China, the US, and the UK.

Shortlisting was a Herculean task as one individual had submitted 94 applications through email and post.

— An official involved in the vetting processDescribing the challenges faced during the initial screening of ambassadorial applications.

Officials meticulously sifted through the applications, discarding duplicates and incomplete submissions to narrow down the pool to a few hundred. This shortlist has now reached Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal's secretariat for final review. "Shortlisting was a Herculean task as one individual had submitted 94 applications through email and post," an official involved in the vetting process revealed.

The ultimate decision on these crucial appointments will be a collective one, involving Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, and Foreign Minister Khanal. "However, our party is clear that the responsibility for the appointment solely rests with the government and the foreign minister," stated an RSP leader.

However, our party is clear that the responsibility for the appointment solely rests with the government and the foreign minister.

— An RSP leaderAffirming the ruling party's stance on the authority for ambassadorial selections.

As the government pushes forward, prospective candidates are reportedly engaged in intense lobbying efforts. However, an RSP office bearer emphasized that appointments must be merit-based, stating, "They should be based on merit, and the right person should get the opportunity."

They should be based on merit, and the right person should get the opportunity.

— An RSP office bearerStating the principle guiding the appointment process amidst lobbying efforts.

The urgency for these appointments is underscored by the fact that several missions have been vacant since October last year. The current government has also recalled additional ambassadors, leaving many embassies managed by chargés d'affaires. "Without a resident ambassador, an embassy can do little more than keep the office running," explained Naresh Bikram Dhakal, a former ambassador. "If the government wants stronger political engagement and closer bilateral relations, it should appoint ambassadors without delay."

Without a resident ambassador, an embassy can do little more than keep the office running. If the government wants stronger political engagement and closer bilateral relations, it should appoint ambassadors without delay.

— Naresh Bikram DhakalExplaining the impact of vacant ambassadorial positions on Nepal's international relations.
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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