The interim government, formed under the premiership of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki and catalyzed by the Gen-Z youth movement, has a clear mandate to establish honesty, good governance, and pave the way for a stable democracy. While two months in power is insufficient to resolve all domestic challenges, the government’s performance, particularly in foreign affairs, has been disappointingly slow, which has cast doubt on its understanding of Nepal’s core international goals.
The youth movement promised a departure from past failures allegedly committed by political parties. The new government’s silence and sluggishness in global engagement, most notably the delayed appointment of a Foreign Minister and the sudden, uncoordinated recall of 11 Ambassadors—have created a detrimental diplomatic gap. This vacuum weakens Nepal’s voice in critical global forums, compromises essential trust-building efforts, and projects an image of political unreliability. This happens precisely when the nation requires maximum international support for stability and development.
Five-Point Plan for Professional Foreign Policy
To prove that the Gen-Z-inspired change represents stability, not chaos, the government must immediately adopt a proactive, five-point plan centered on professionalizing its foreign policy.
1. Immediately Fill Ambassadorial Posts with Merit
The highest priority is to strategically fill all vacant ambassadorial posts. This must be done by implementing a transparent, merit-based selection process that prioritizes diplomatic insight, economic expertise, and communication skills over political affiliation. Appointing highly competent professionals, who are responsible for their duties, is essential to re-establish the credibility of the government formed aftermath of a movement that caused the loss of dozens of lives, injured hundreds, and destroyed billions in public and private property.
2. Launch an Emergency Economic Diplomacy Initiative
The government should launch a focused, short-term push to signal stability to the global financial community. This involves tasking newly appointed or key serving diplomats with a specific, measurable mandate to secure high-priority Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), aid, and cooperation on pressing issues like climate change and trade. Foreign missions must be effectively treated as economic promotion centers.
3. Formally Reaffirm Core Foreign Policy Principles
The head of government or the new Foreign Minister must issue a clear, high-level policy statement. This statement should explicitly reaffirm Nepal’s commitment to its long-standing, non-aligned foreign policy of neutrality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, and mutual respect. This will immediately counteract any domestic actions that might be perceived as involving Nepal’s politics in foreign protests.
4. Establish Inter-Agency Coordination
To break the lethargy caused by a lack of coordination, the government must set up a formal, high-level inter-ministerial task force. This should involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and the National Planning Commission, ensuring that the foreign policy agenda is perfectly aligned with national development, election readiness, and economic priorities.
5. Set Performance Benchmarks and a 30-Day Timeline
The government needs to move beyond promises to provable results. It should publicly commit to filling all key diplomatic posts and presenting its clear foreign policy roadmap within the next 30 days. Instituting clear performance metrics for ambassadors, especially concerning economic diplomacy and citizen welfare, will decisively demonstrate a commitment to good rule.
Conclusion
The mandate for this temporary government is not just to govern, but to restore global confidence in Nepal’s political process. Its inability to manage its international communication lines jeopardizes the very goal of holding fair elections and achieving stable democracy. By taking swift, professional, and strategic action in its foreign relations, the Karki government can transform its current narrative of chaos into one of decisive and responsible change, thereby securing the global support necessary for Nepal’s peaceful transition.
