News, Views From Nepal

YUba Nath Lamsal: With the formation of the new coalition government, headed by KP Sharma Oli, expectations abound nationwide. The three key areas that seek immediate attention and focus are governance, economy and foreign policy. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has also won the vote confidence in parliament with more than two-thirds majority of lawmakers. Now the Prime Minister and the government are expected to double down their efforts in addressing these three fundamental issues currently facing the country. It is said ‘well-begun is half done’. Firstly he has made the seven-point understanding reached with the Nepali Congress public in parliament, which reflects the broader outline of new government’s priorities. Secondly, Prime Minister appears to be well aware of the problems of the country and seems to be focused on addressing these problems. The Prime Minister has chosen competent and experienced persons for three key positions — finance minister, chief political advisor and e...

Yuba Nath Lamsal:-- Singha Durbar once again saw a change of guard this week with CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli sworn in as the 45th Prime Minister of Nepal, leading a Nepali Congress-CPN-UML coalition government. Maoist supremo Prachanda was sent packing by more than two-thirds of the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, in a vote of confidence motion, thereby paving the way for Oli to rise to the seat of prime minister fourth time. While the UML and NC cadres and leaders appear to be jubilant in the wake of the change of government, the latest political twist has sent a shock wave to the rank and file of the CPN (Maoist Center) which was also reflected in the speech of Maoist supremo Prachanda in parliament in the course of facing the vote confidence. The overnight change of coalition was the making of KP Oli, about which Prachanda and his other comrades in arms did not have even the slightest hint. This speaks of how frail and feeble was the infor...

Yuba Nath Lamsal:-- The principal goal of foreign policy of any state is to protect, enhance and enlarge national interest. All countries have their defined and sometimes obscure national interests. States also determine and adopt foreign policy strategies, priorities and tools depending upon the nature of power in the immediate neighbourhood, in the region and also in the world. Foreign policy of any country, in general or at least in principle, tends to be pacific. However, big powers and hawkish states often use coercive and hard power like military intervention and economic sanction as a part of foreign policy strategy and tools. In the modern world, war is not the first choice in settling disputes in the international politics. Diplomacy and peaceful settlement through negotiation are better priorities. War is said to be the last resort in resolving disputes. However, this is not always the case. Big powers tend to be hegemonic and apply arm-twisting tactics and declare dire...