MCC Discourse Intensified over Fatima’s Visit
The visit of MCC vice president Fatema Z Sumar and deputy vice president Jonathan Brooks in the second week of September triggered the ongoing years old debate over the MCC grant to Nepal to a new level. On the eve of top officials visit to Nepal, MCC sent back the replies to 11 major questions…
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Time to rewrite the constitution
“It is time to move beyond the idea of political stability to the idea of constitutional stability.” Prime Minister KP Oli’s move to dissolve Parliament has unleashed a phase of political uncertainty which could devour more than the legislative body. Oli’s political endgame is not clear; it has brought into play internal political conflict, foreign…
Why are the Nepali politicians afraid of Sarita Giri?
Who is Sarita Giri? Sarita Giri has been in political talks over the past couple of weeks. In an effort to retaliate India’s unilateral construction of trade link road via Lipulekh, the Oli government issued a new political map and decided to amend the constitution, and since then, Sarita Giri has been expressing controversial statements.…
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Realignment, Post COVID-19
The world must understand that the virus is the sole enemy as of now. Instead of increasing complications, it will be in the best interest of each country to work together and develop an antidote.
Nepali and Chinese Perspectives on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Nepal
A. Nepali Perspective: With the current visit of a Chinese delegation led by its foreign minister Wang Yi, Nepal’s hope of seeing Xi Jinping in Nepal has heightened. Wang’s visit gave a positive impression to Nepal for the long-awaited visit of the Chinese president. After meeting Wang, Nepali leaders said that China has been using…
News Digest: International Relations & Foreign Affairs (January 13 – 19, 2022)
Traders and businesspersons protested the undeclared border blockade in Kerung and Tatopani checkpoints in Kathmandu on January 12. As per the customs office, only nine trucks from Kerung and 11 from Tatopani are allowed to enter Nepal. Previously, 200 to 250 containers of goods entered Nepal daily. Earlier, there used to be correspondence with Chinese…
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News Digest: International Relations & Foreign Affairs (January 6 – 12, 2022)
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s visit to India was canceled after the Gujrat state government suspended the Vibrant Gujrat Summit due to increasing Covid-19 cases. However, both the countries have laid the basis for PM’s visit, such as signing eight memorandums of understanding in various sectors. Thus, Deuba is likely to visit India soon. Foreign…
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News Digest: International Relations & Foreign Affairs (December 16 – 22, 2021)
The government has begun the clearance process required for India to perform a final local survey (FLS) for the proposed cross-border railway line between Kathmandu and Raxual, an Indian town near Birgunj. India will conclude the FLS report within 18 months of the commencement. The railway construction is estimated to take five years after the…
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News Digest: International Relations & Foreign Affairs (December 30, 2021 – January 5, 2022)
Minister for Energy, Water Resource, and Irrigation Pamha Bhusal has a courtesy meeting with the Secretary-General of the BIMSTEC Tenzing Lekfel. During the meeting, Lekfel stressed the need for all member states to advance the energy sector issues passed by the BIMSTEC conference. He said that the Government of Nepal should pay attention to the…
News Digest: International Relations & Foreign Affairs (December 16 – 22, 2021)
The government has begun the clearance process required for India to perform a final local survey (FLS) for the proposed cross-border railway line between Kathmandu and Raxual, an Indian town near Birgunj. India will conclude the FLS report within 18 months of the commencement. The railway construction is estimated to take five years after the…
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November Analysis: Global Affairs
United States’ Unclear China Policy has left everyone speculating about the future of the two nations’ relation. Debt trap scare looms in Uganda as China offers a lending hand. Amidst growing dissent towards China, India nonetheless supports the 2022 Winter Olympics to be held at Beijing.
November Analysis: International Relations and Foreign Affairs
Nepal is once again in a tough place geopolitically. The congress led government is resetting its bilateral ties with India in multiple fronts. India has also been cooperative and responded positively to Nepal’s effort. Similarly, the US is harping on the endorsement of the MCC through multiple visits of the US officials, while China is…
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October Analysis: Diplomacy & Security
With growing American frustration over MCC delays, Nepal is in a diplomatic pickle. As ruling party and opposition battle over the MCC contention, the prolonged decision may cost Nepal several benefits of the Nepal-USA friendship. On the South Asia front, Taliban seeking international recognition makes the members of the region cautious regarding its future. Timeline…
October Analysis: International Relations and Foreign Affairs
Nepal’s diplomatic endeavors has taken a pace, whether it be government level initiatives or party level linkage building with both India and China. India’s ruling party has appreciated and reciprocated Nepal’s effort in bridging the gap between the Nepali Congress and BJP. However, the relationship with China in the recent days is wavering. Nepal is…
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September Analysis: International Relations and Foreign Affairs
The newly appointed foreign minister Dr. Narayan Khadka emphasized on building national consensus amongst party regarding foreign relations. The foreign minister participated in the 76th United Nations General Assembly where he shed light on various issues such as climate change, Nepal’s position of terrorism and disarmament, and working towards graduating from the Least Developed Country…
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News Digest (July 02– July 08, 2020)
The discrimination faced by transgender community in society is persistent and the government lacks in taking sufficient action to ensure their rights.
Monthly News Analysis – July 2019
Summary Federalism and democratization followed by credible transfer of power to the intermediate classes—people who provide support to the political elites in return for privileges and benefits—has helped Nepal attain relative peace and stability. The possibility of political and social stability depends on many factors including the relations between the state, political elites, and the…
Monthly News Analysis – June 2019
Summary The US has been tightening its grip in the South Asian region alluring the countries with additional financial assistance. Nepal as a country in South Asian region cannot remain unaffected of the US assertion and has already received a huge commitment under the MCC. However, Nepal should have a coherent foreign policy in projecting…
News Digest June 8-14, 2019
Ruling Party Policy, Programmes, and Budget Members of the National Assembly expressed doubt over effective implementation of the budget. The members in the discussion at the Assembly claimed that budget was estimated without any homework.[1] Likewise, Financial Comptroller General Office reported that the government spent only 46.22 percent of budget in the current fiscal year.…
News Digest (August 13 – August 19, 2020)
40 District Administration Offices (DOPs) have imposed partial or complete prohibition in different areas after a spike in the Coronavirus cases.
Proceedings Report: Nepal-India Border Relations
Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF), Nepal organized a webinar on Nepal-India Border Relations on 26th November, 2021. Discussants included: Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, Research Director at CESIF Nepal. Summera Shrestha, Executive Director for Women for Human Rights. Senior Journalist and Analyst, Chandrakishore and Hon’ble Malamati Rana, Member of the Parliament of the Sudhurpaschim Provincial…
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Discussing Kathmandu Dilemma: Resetting India-Nepal Ties
Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF), Nepal organized a discussion on Ranjit Rae’s Kathmandu Dilemma: Resetting India-Nepal Ties which took place on 25th October, 2021, at The Soaltee Kathmandu. Discussant panel included: noted author – Amish Mulmi; Assistant Professor – Apekshya Shah; eminent scholar, Prof. Dr. Lokraj Baral; former Prime Minister and Chairperson of…
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Nepal’s connectivity with China: Status and Prospects
CESIF (Center for Social Inclusion and Federalism) organized a webinar on September 27, 2021, to discuss on the topic of Nepal’s connectivity with China. The webinar was opened by Shraddha Ghimire, a research fellow at CESIF by presenting the key findings of her research titled ‘Nepal-China Transit Transport Agreement (TTA): An Analysis’. The presentation was…
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Chinese Border Encroachment in Humla
As a small landlocked country sandwiched between two giants—India and China—Nepal’s sensitivity for territorial integrity and sovereignty stands out as particularly strong. Never formally colonized, Nepali people appear extra possessive towards their country’s natural heritages and historical richness and have a strong emotional attachment. Therefore, any sort of attack on Mt. Everest and Gautam Buddha,…
Nepal’s trade relations with its neighbors and the role of economic diplomacy
Photo: RSS Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF) organized a webinar on February 24, 2020, focusing on “Nepal’s trade relations with its neighbors and the role of economic diplomacy.” Speakers: Mr Purushottam Ojha – He served as the Secretary of Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. He is currently a freelance consultant in the…
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Disputes on the Northern Border of Nepal—The Case of Humla
Photo: RSS Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF) held an event on February 9, 2021, focusing on ‘Disputes on the Northern Border of Nepal – The Case of Humla’ at Hotel Summit, Sanepa, Lalitpur. Jiwan Bahadur Shahi, Karnali Province’s opposition Nepali Congress leader and lawmaker, was the chief presenter at the event. Former Director…
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BRI Summit Re-strengthening International Relations
International relations, being interdisciplinary in nature, connects nations from political, economic and cultural aspects. The practices and trends in global interstate system stimulate individual states to behave in the favor of its national interest. National policies and agendas are built to blend with the global trends within the boundaries of international laws. One state’s processes,…
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