News, Views From Nepal

Yuba Nath Lamsal:--- The power of a state has many forms and dynamics. Country’s geography and physical size, strategic location, military strength, economic might, technological superiority, maritime position, moral and civilisational values, art, culture, literature, political and popular legitimacy, human resource, natural resources, alliance systems, dynamic civil society, free media, academic institutions, education system, and pragmatic foreign policy and diplomatic acumen are some key tools and levers of power and influence in the realm of international relations. These tools of power are categorised mainly as hard and soft power. The hard power is the coercion-based power which includes military, money and muscle or “3M”, which are used and often misused to bring the adversaries to terms. Military assaults, economic and technological sanctions, trade barriers, and travel restrictions are hard-power tactics used by powerful countries in international politics. The use of coe...

Yuba Nath Lamsal:--- Continuity and change are key characteristics of Nepal’s foreign policy. The national interest is the long-term foreign policy goal of any country, which does not change despite changes in governments or even in the political system. However, the tactics, tools and approaches may change depending upon the context and developments in the outer world to achieve the core objectives of foreign policy. In Nepal’s case, despite changes in political systems and regimes in the past, the fundamental interests, goals and priorities of foreign policy have remained unchanged, while consecutive governments may have adopted different styles and approaches in achieving the core dynamics of foreign policy goals. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) government, headed by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, appears to have adopted slightly different styles, approaches and priorities in handling the country’s diplomacy. The first action is the government’s decision to strictly follow a...

Yuba Nath Lamsal:--- Nepal and India seem to be serious in resetting and elevating the level of their bilateral relations for the larger interest of both countries and the people. This process has gained momentum, particularly after the formation of the new government headed by Balendra Shah in Nepal. Even the Indian side appears to be more enthusiastic in enhancing engagements with the new government and the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) of Nepal. Soon after the results of the March 5 parliamentary elections were announced, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called both RSP leaders – chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah and congratulated for their stunning electoral victory, expressing willingness to work together for the common interests of both Nepal and India. Modi also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Balendra Shah for an official visit to India. It is said, ‘one can choose a friend but not a neighbour’. Thus, one has to accordingly adjust an...

Yuba Nath Lamsal:-- George Orwell, in his famous book “Animal Farm,” says, “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” A similar case may be found in the world of geopolitics. In principle, all countries in the world, of course, have equal status and rights in the comity of nations. But that may not always be true when it comes to the realm of realism. In the realist world of today, power plays a pivotal role in international relations. The foreign policy goal of any country is to defend and enlarge its national interest. Interests guide foreign policy and diplomacy. Countries apply different strategies, tactics and tools to defend and enlarge their interests depending upon the situation and nature of events. Power determines the course of action in dealing with the situation in defence of national interests.Like domestic politics, international politics is also a struggle for power. German political scientist Hans Morgenthau says in his classical realism that i...

Yuba Nath Lamsal:--- A sovereign state clearly articulates its principles for dealing with external forces and countries, with the objective of defending and promoting national interests abroad. These sets of principles are defined as foreign policy. All countries, big or small and weak or powerful, clearly define and frame their foreign policy goals, principles, strategies and actions commensurate with their national interests. Foreign policy principles, priorities and tools may vary depending on national strength, geographical position, geopolitical situation, and the behaviour of neighbours as well as major powers. The concept of foreign policy evolved with the evolution of human civilisation. Right from the time when human beings started living in groups, they needed to adopt their behaviour towards other groups for survival and dominance. This brought about both cooperation and conflict with one another. With the development of nation state, the behaviour of the country was give...