Nepal’s Foreign Policy: An Introduction

Keshab Giri, Master of Research in International Relations,

The University of Essex, UK.

PhD Candidate, The University of Sydney, Australia

A Lecture for MIRD 3rd Semester, TU, Nepal

Course Code: MIRD-514

‘Nepal’s Foreign Policy’

Contents for Today What is Foreign Policy? What are National Interests?

Tools in Foreign Policy and Process of Foreign Policy Making

Levels of Analysis in Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy of Modern Nepal: Brief History

Scope of Nepal’s Foreign Policy

Determinants and Guiding Principles of Nepal’s Foreign Policy

Limits in Nepal’s Foreign Policy & Solutions.

Bibliography, Q&A.

Meaning and Definition Foreign Policy: “Articulation of national

interests and the means to secure them”- Lamy, et al, 2013: page 112.

Ideational National Interests and Material National Interests.Ideational National

Interests Material National

Interests

Values Territorial Integrity

Norms Physical SecurityIdeology Trade

Political System WealthEconomic System Natural Resources

Meaning and Definition In National Interests, there are some

irreducible core interests (Hartmann, 1957:5) for which any state consider it worth to fight for. E.g. sovereignty, territorial integrity, protection of citizen, etc. It could also be subjective & dynamic.

Foreign Policy of a State ensures that such vital interests are clearly identified, protected, and promoted steadfastly.

“We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual”- Former British Premier Henry John Temple Palmerston.

Tools of Foreign Policy Making Different countries adopt different methods owing to level of Power they possess

(Military+ Latent), Geography, Political Culture and History, Demography and

Ethnicity, International Political System, Power Dynamics in the Region, etc.

For Great States military strength - major tool of Foreign Policy, Small States-

Diplomacy is the tool of Statecraft. Read Annette Baker Fox (2006); Keshab Giri

(2014)- Small States as Norm Entrepreneurs.

‘Foreign Policy is also an extension of domestic politics’- Qian Qichen (1990),

The Chinese Foreign Minister. Tweaking Clausewitz’s quote. This is even more

pertinent in case of small states.

Tools of Foreign Policy Making What tools and methods states employ to

achieve their Foreign Policy objectives or to

protect their National Interests?

1) Hard Power (Carrot and Stick): Military

Threats, Military Action, Military Aid, Economic

Sanctions, Economic Inducements, etc.

2) Soft Power (Appeal and Sermons):

Diplomacy, Negotiation, Cultural Exchanges,

Speeches, Sports, etc.

Process of Foreign Policy Making Actors: 1) Formal Actors: a) Executive (Primary): Foreign Ministry, Head of State, Cabinet Ministers, etc.b) Legislature (Secondary): Lawmakers

2) Informal Actors:b) Business Community/Leadersc) Think Tanksd) Mediae) Civil Societyf) Academicsg) Subnational level (City, Town, Municipality) and many more…

Process of Foreign Policy Making Making of Foreign Policy of State

1) Identification of Issues in Foreign Policy: Vision and Articulation

2) Formulate Foreign Policy: Coordination between Legislative and Executive

branches; consultation with Bureaucratic Agencies (Intelligence, Defence,

Foreign Affairs, Finance, etc.) and public (Experts) to formulate FP.

3) Implementation: Assignment of policies to various agencies (Army, Foreign

Ministry with division of responsibility.

4) Assessment: Evaluate the outcome; continuation, amendments, and

termination.

Foreign Policy and Levels of Analysis1.Individual: Personality, Biological Explanations,

Ideology/Beliefs, Cognitive Capability, Affective Bias, etc.

Foreign Policy and Levels of Analysis2. National: Capability (Military and Latent), Domestic

Politics, Decision-Making System, Geopolitics, Political

System, Economic System, Bureaucracy, etc.

Foreign Policy and Levels of Analysis3.Systemic: Anarchy, Distribution/Balance of Power,

Alliances/Treaties/Obligations, Regional/Global Socio-

Political Movements, Environmental Concerns,

Ideas/Norms spreading beyond borders.

Modern Nepal’s Foreign Policy: A Retrospect

1. Unification and Expansion: P.N. Shah’s Adage

2. Rana Regime: Appeasement of British East India Company

3. Advent of Democracy: Dependence upon India deepens; some resentments

4. Panchayat Era: Diversification of Foreign Relations

5. Restoration of Democracy and Maoist Insurgency: India again Midwife of

Nepal’s Political Transition

6. Republic Nepal: Resorting to Old Panchayat Era Balancing Act/ Equidistance.

Scope of Nepal’s Foreign Policy Which areas need due consideration in our Foreign Policy?

•Relationship with India and China: Pivot of our Foreign Policy

•Relationship with other Powers and Donors (Age of Globalization)

•IOs: UN, EU; RO: SAARC; International Economic Institutions: ADB, IMF, WB, etc.

•Economic Diplomacy: Donors, MNCs, Business Communities, IEIs, etc. for Investment

in Nepal.

Determinants of Nepal’s Foreign Policy

Geopolitics

Power (Military and Latent)

History & Political Culture

Culture and Ethnicity

International System and

Politics (Globalization)

Psychology

Objectives and Goals Protect National Sovereignty and Territorial

Integrity.

Preserving Autonomy while Building Relation

of Trust and Confidence with our Neighbours.

Bringing Foreign Investments to spurt

economic growth.

Promote Nepal as a Progressive Democracy

with Rule of Law, Protection of Human Rights,

and Equality.

Guiding Principles UN Charter Panchasheela Non-Alignment International Law and Value of Peace

Challenges in Nepal’s Foreign Policy Domestic Problems (Endless Political Transition) Geopolitics Lacklustre Economic Performance Human Resource in MoFA

Ways to Address Shortcomings of Nepal’s Foreign Policy

National Consensus and Uniformity on FP (FP White Paper with Clear Dos

and Don’ts, Political Goal Scoring/ Individual Gain)

Neutrality and Non-Alignment

Economic Prosperity

Human Resource Development (Recruitment: Political Appointment, to what

extent? Clear Guidelines; Trainings: Language, Skill Development, Protocol, etc.)

Track Two Diplomacy* (Cost Effective and Sustainable)

Selected Bibliography• Hartmann, F. H.(1957) The Relations of Nations. New York: The Macmillan Company.

• Fox, A. B. (2006) The Small States in International System, 1919-1969. International Journal, 24(4), pp 751-764.

•Qichan, Q. (1990) World Situation. Beijing Review, 33(3), page 16.

•Rothstein, R. (1968) Alliances and Small Powers. New York: Columbia University Press.

•Giri, K. (2014) Norm Entrepreneurs of SAARC. Ankara: Journal of Turkish Weekly. Available from: http://www.turkishweekly.net/op-ed/3226/norm-entrepreneurs-of-saarc.html [Published on 3rd November 2014].

•Mearheimer, J. J. (2001) Tragedy of Great Power Politics.

•Whelpton, J. (2005) A History of Nepal. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press

•Rose, L. E. (1971) Nepal: Strategy for Survival. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Selected Bibliography•Hermann, M. G. (1980) Explaining Foreign Policy Behaviour Using the Personal

Characteristics of Political Leaders. International Studies Quarterly, 24 (1), pp. 7-46.

• Einsiedel, S. V.; Malone, D. M.; Pradhan, S. (Eds.) (2012) Nepal in Transition: From

People’s War to Fragile Peace. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

•Lawoti, M. and Pahari, A. K. (Eds.) (2010) The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal:

Revolution in the Twenty-First Century. New York: Routledge.

•Baral, L.S. (1981) Nepal and Non-Alignment. International Studies, pp. 257-272.

•Fox, A. B. (2015) Power of Small States Diplomacy in World War II. London: BiblioLife.

Next LectureDeterminants of Nepal’s Foreign Policy

• International Treaties/Commitments/Obligations: UN Charter; Principles of

Panchasheela, Non-Alignment Movement, International Laws and Values of Peace.

•Geo-Politics

•Historical Relations

•Political System and Values

•Socio-Cultural Connections

•Economic Situation

Question Time

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Do try to make it brief and precise.

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