PM Shah will not undertake any foreign visit for a year

Kathmandu Post views Prime Minister Balendra Shah's decision to forgo foreign travel for a year as a sign of political maturity, a welcome departure from the tradition of Nepali prime ministers making swift international trips upon taking office. This move, as highlighted by our reporting, signals a strong commitment to prioritizing domestic issues and development, a stance that resonates with the public's desire for tangible progress.

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He will obviously go on foreign trips. But first, he will focus on the issues of the general population and development. He will not go on any foreign trips for at least one year as per our discussion.

While foreign policy analysts suggest this doesn't represent a major foreign policy shift, it underscores a cautious and deliberate approach to international relations. The article notes that the foreign ministry is actively managing external affairs, maintaining a delicate balance with neighboring countries, even as the prime minister focuses inward. This allows for a more stable and predictable foreign engagement.

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Nepali prime ministers are infamous for their quick foreign trips following their appointment. PM Shah’s approach reveals a level of maturity uncommon in Nepali politics. He has signalled that he prioritises domestic issues over foreign trips. Meanwhile, the foreign ministry is diligently managing foreign affairs and maintaining the balancing act with our neighbours.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Shah's decision to abstain from his party's general convention, observing it as an ordinary citizen would, reinforces the 'one-person one-position' principle championed by his Rastriya Swatantra Party. This separation of party and government roles is a significant departure from the norm, where prime ministers often play central roles in party affairs. This disciplined approach, as observed in comparison to leaders like India's Narendra Modi, sets a new precedent in Nepali politics, emphasizing executive responsibility over partisan activities.

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He will, like any ordinary citizen, follow updates on the convention through the news. Instead, his focus will remain strictly on his executive role in the government.