Nepal’s diplomacy of vibes finally meets reality

For his first 100 days, Prime Minister Balendra Shah proudly maintained a diplomatic posture of meeting all foreign ambassadors collectively, refusing one-on-one sessions. This approach, which included a photo op with 17 envoys at once, signaled to the diplomatic corps in Kathmandu that no single nation's relationship was prioritized over another. Even India's foreign secretary faced a deferred trip when uncertainty lingered over whether Shah would grant a private audience.

This performance of "sovereign equality," as political commentators labeled it, was largely seen as a campaign promise extended beyond the election. However, this week marked a significant shift. Shah will now meet the Indian and Chinese ambassadors separately, with dates pending Foreign Ministry arrangements. This comes amid reports, though denied by his advisor, that the advisor traveled to New Delhi to secure an invitation from India. A Foreign Ministry official confirmed the travel, indicating it occurred without the ministry's knowledge or approval.

The sequence of events echoes a common challenge for small states situated between larger neighbors: the clash between campaign rhetoric and governing necessities. The Maldives, for instance, elected a president on an "India Out" platform, only for him to eventually engage with Delhi due to economic dependence. Similarly, Sri Lanka's president, whose party historically opposed India, made India his first overseas trip after taking office. Shah's move suggests a pragmatic adjustment, acknowledging that governance requires more than just symbolic gestures, especially when dealing with powerful neighbors.

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If they’d asked us, we’d have recommended not to take the trip.