Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF) organized a discussion program on
‘Navigating Geopolitics and Emerging National Security Concerns,’ aiming to analyze 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 ‘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 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 21 st 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 the 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.