Navigating Geopolitics and Emerging National Security Concerns
CESIF Nepal
Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF) organized a discussion program on ‘Navigating Geopolitics and Emerging National Security Concerns,’ aiming to analyze the changing security landscape in South Asia and its implications for Nepal.
The Research Director of CESIF, Mr. Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, reflected in his opening remarks the importance of delving deeper into the traditional threats, emerging security concerns, and the need to build consensus on mitigating the concerns. The Executive Chair of CESIF, Amb. Vijay Kant Karna, explained the transition of CESIF from Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism to Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy. Over the last few years, CESIF’s focus has been on contemporary analysis of foreign affairs and emerging social problems.
The first panel on ‘Navigating Geopolitics’ moderated by Ms. Apekshya Shah (Assistant Professor, DIRD, TU) included the following speakers: Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatta (Former MP), Ambassador Madhu Raman Acharya (Former Diplomat and Foreign Affairs Analyst), Lt. Gen. Bala Nanda Sharma (Retd.), Maj. Gen. Himalayan Thapa (Retd.), and Mr. Geja Sharma Wagle (Security and Strategic Affairs Scholar).
The first session shed light on the complex interplay of regional and global powers that shape Nepal's present and future. The speakers also explored the nuances of Nepal's position within the global arena.
Amb. Madhu Raman Acharya said that Nepal’s neighbours have a ‘security first’ mindset when dealing with Nepal. Our policy of non-alignment provides us a principled approach with great powers. It allows us to diversify our security practices without getting into security blocs of bigger nations. National security cannot be an isolated policy but a comprehensive policy, while being coordinated with various ministries and departments of the government.
Mr. Geja Sharma Wagle said that Nepal’s political parties and the government unnecessarily politicize their engagement with foreign actors.
Maj. Gen. Himalayan Thapa (Retd.) stressed that Nepal must maintain neutrality for balancing the rivalry between India and China.
Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatta said, “Nepal must prioritize and showcase our own environmental, developmental and strategic concerns at the world stage.”
Lt. Gen. Bala Nanda Sharma (Retd.) said that the first national security policy led by Dr. Bhim Rawal in 2019 is not yet consulted with the wider civil society. He said that there is a gap between the future threats and the mitigating measures of security forces.
Members from the audience noted that Nepal’s foreign policy is highly hill-centric and thus needs to be diversified to include all Nepalis, and national security also needs to be seen from the perspective of social justice, equity, and food security.
Answering a question posed by audience members, Amb. Madhu Raman Acharya said that national security documents must be made public as it will contribute in forging a national consensus among political parties and actors. He added that major bilateral relations must be based on the national interest of Nepal, not on party-to-party relationships.
The second panel on ‘Emerging Security Concerns’ moderated by Mr. Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (CESIF Research Director) included the following speakers: Mr. Batu Krishna Uprety (Climate Change Expert), Dr. Rajib Subba (Cyber Security Expert), Mr. Rajneesh Bhandari (Investigative Journalist), Ms. Deepa Dahal (Journalist and Writer), and Mr. Mahesh Kushwaha (CESIF Researcher).
The second session focused on the evolving nature of security challenges facing our nation. From cyber vulnerabilities to climate-induced crises, the speakers gave a clear understanding of the multifaceted threats demanding Nepal’s attention, and the ways to strengthen our security architecture to effectively address these emerging challenges of the 21st century.
Dr. Rajib Subba explained about the emerging cyber security threats such as face recognition technology, disinformation-misinformation, and algorithms on social media, which can pose serious challenges to the national security of Nepal.
Mr. Rajneesh Bhandari shed light on the increasing trend of artificial intelligence (AI) being used to spread misinformation in democracies.
Mr. Batu Krishna Uprety stressed that climate change has emerged as a political and economic issue of great powers, which are contributing to dangers faced by developing countries like ours.
Ms. Deepa Dahal described her experience of the government’s response during COVID-19. In her observation, the government was not serious during the first phase of the crisis, which led it to become a pandemic in Nepal.
Mr. Mahesh Kushwaha pointed towards how the state itself can be the perpetrator against identities, which can contribute to national security.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Arpan Gelal from CESIF summarized the event with the need to foster strategic partnerships and advocate for our national interests, to ensure Nepal finds its voice and thrives in the face of complex global dynamics. He also stressed on tackling emerging security challenges through a multifaceted approach.
