National Interest, foreign policy and diplomacy

Yuba Nath Lamsal

It is widely believed that foreign policy is strictly the area and prerogative of those people, who work in the Ministry of Foreign affairs or are in the top echelon in the political circle. This belief, rightly or wrongly, is in vogue for years and decades not only in Nepal but also across the globe. This is the reason why the foreign policy issue was kept away from public debate, discourse and scrutiny. People were, thus, kept in dark on foreign policy issues and its debate. A few handful of ruling class elites controlled the foreign policy formulation and its conduct. As a result, foreign policy became the sole domain and prerogative of the elites, aristocrats and the so-called better off populace. The general people are not allowed to participate in the discourse and decision-making of foreign policy and diplomacy. But things are beginning to change and a new concept is evolving in relation to formulation and conduct of foreign policy in tune with the changes taken place in the world.

Foreign policy is said to be an extension of domestic policy. In the present era of democracy, people are the masters of their own destiny. People’s participation in all spheres of political, social; and economic decision making process is what makes democratic polity strong, vibrant and more functioning. In other words, people’s active participation is a must in democracy. This is more so in political debate and governance. Since the foreign policy is a part of governance and political process, there must be active and meaningful participation of the people in the debate, discourse and decision-making process in the formulation and conduct of foreign policy.

In the case of Nepal, foreign policy has not yet been brought to public discourse and scrutiny. In the present era of democracy, people have the right to know and participate in the discourse and decision-making of all spheres including foreign policy. In the developed democracy, every individual has a say in decision-making and foreign policy formulation and its conduct. Multi-layer debates and discourses are conducted through different forums, agencies and institutions including media. Parliament is the highest political body of people’s representatives which conducts thorough and comprehensive discussion on matters pertaining to foreign policy based on which the state formulates its foreign policy and conducts diplomacy in accordance with its well-defined national interest. In this process, academic institutions and media make their constructive and critical contribution by organizing forums and by bringing in opinion of the people on this important issue concerning nation’s foreign policy and its conduct.

The state has to, in the first place, determine its national interests and its priorities to be pursued in the international arenas and its relations with other countries. Foreign policy is a tool that serves its national interest abroad. In the case of Nepal, its national interests still seem not to have been clearly defined. In the absence of national interest, it becomes often difficult to formulate foreign policy. When national vision about the world is blurred, the country can never achieve its goal in the international arena. As a result, country’s conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy often becomes weak and ineffective which does not help in building our positive image in the international arena. It is said that what military cannot win can be achieved through effective and efficient conduct of diplomacy. This is more so for a weak, poor and small country like Nepal which does not have other clout to influence the world community. Nepal needs to have its vibrant and effective diplomacy which alone can protect our national interest abroad and build our positive image in the international community.

Foreign policy continues to be a sole prerogative of a handful of ruling class elites in Nepal, too. So far, foreign policy has been the issue that has been least discussed in the public forum. Even in parliament, foreign policy has received least priority and time. There is, of course, a committee on international relations that is supposed to take up the issue of foreign policy and stimulate hot and meaningful debate on various issues of foreign policy and diplomacy. But not much has been done and discussed in parliament on Nepal’s foreign policy and hardly any lawmaker over the last four years, when parliament was in existence, ever spoke on foreign policy with due priority and prominence.

Foreign policy has received least priority in political parties’ programmes and agenda, as well. Public does not get adequate information on foreign policy issues and the conduct of diplomacy. It is as though the foreign policy issues are something that is not the business of the general public. In fact every citizen has the right to know about foreign policy issues and handling of the foreign policy and diplomacy. Parties are expected to make their views and position public on foreign policy issues. The parties do that during the election through their election manifestoes Election manifestoes are the documents that make the people aware of the position, stance and outlook on various issues, based on which people judge the political parties or candidates and accordingly vote. Analyzing the election manifestoes of all parties in all elections held after the 1990 political change, the parties seem to have given the least preference and prominence to foreign policy of the country. They just make a passing reference on foreign policy in just a couple of sentences in their election manifesto. This is a testimony of how parties either ignore the foreign policy issues or are simply incompetent.

But as citizens in a democracy, it’s very important that they participate in the foreign policy discourse and the conduct of diplomacy. At the same time, citizens have a duty to participate, inform and shape the foreign policy discourse and decisions of their country. People do not come spontaneously with the suggestions and participation in the domain of foreign policy. It is the duty and responsibility of the state to create such environment through public forums, media and academic institutions so that people would be forthcoming with their ideas,  some of which may be noble and more innovative that would help shape and frame foreign policy in accordance with the national need and interests.

The cabinet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Parliament especially its committee on international affairs, the career professional diplomats, the media, lobby groups including chambers of commerce, professional bodies, civil society, academics and public opinion are among some available forums and mechanism  that may be mobilized to help formulate appropriate foreign policy. However, this is glaringly lacking in Nepal. In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be hotbed diplomacy but our ministry is so lethargic and bureaucratic that officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affair are busy in winning favor of the party or people in power to get posting in attractive places.

Institutions are set up for diplomatic training, international studies, provision of policy support and impetus in strategic thinking. We have Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the objective of carrying out above mentioned activities and playing catalytic role in strengthening the capability of foreign policy formulation and the conduct of international diplomacy. But its effectiveness is far from satisfactory.

In diplomacy, there is no permanent friend and permanent enemy.  Only national interest is permanent. In order to pursue national interest, effective foreign policy tools and diplomacy are required. Similarly, person in-charge of handling foreign policy and diplomacy must be well-informed, knowledgeable on the global situation with effective communication skill. The people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are definitely more aware of diplomatic nuances but diplomacy should not always remain as their sole domain. Diplomacy is something that requires contacts with people at the higher political echelon and other influential position and ability to harness other areas and forums including civil society, media and cultural groups. It is not intended to question the competence of the officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But they are too bureaucratic which may not be compatible with the necessity of tapping all kinds of forums and mechanism to pursue and protect national interests in the present changed global context. More than that Nepal needs to clearly define national interests and man our mission abroad with people having particular skill and ability to achieve the goal in accordance with our set national interest.