Concluding Remarks by Hon. Mr Shisir Khanal Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Fifth Edition of the Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series

Concluding Remarks by Hon. Mr Shisir Khanal
Minister for Foreign Affairs
at the Fifth Edition of the Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series

Kathmandu, 29 June 2026

Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Former Prime Minister and Keynote Speaker,

Honourable Ministers,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Former Ministers,
Chief Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Secretaries of the Government of Nepal,
Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,
Friends from the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaskar and Good Evening.

I am delighted to address this august gathering and to see distinguished personalities from various walks of life assembled here in this hall for the Fifth edition of the Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series.

This lecture series was established to have thoughtful deliberations on Nepal's foreign policy and to encourage informed discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing our country in a changing world. The thoughtful lecture delivered by Dr Baburam Bhattarai, together with the rich discussion that followed, has fully reflected the purpose.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Dr Bhattarai for his insightful keynote address. His reflections on the changing geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape have enriched our understanding of the opportunities and constraints of Nepal's foreign policy.

I also thank the participants for their thoughtful questions and contributions. Such exchanges reaffirm the importance of informed public discussion on foreign policy and diplomacy.

On the Theme of this Lecture

The theme of this year's lecture, "Foreign Policy of Nepal: Navigating Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Trends", is both timely and important.

As Dr Bhattarai highlighted, the international environment is undergoing profound transformations. Competition among major powers is intensifying. Economic instruments, supply chains and critical infrastructure increasingly influence international relations. At the same time, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and the digital economy, are reshaping the global distribution of power and opportunity.

For countries like Nepal, these changes present both challenges and opportunities. The multilateral system that has long provided important safeguards is facing growing strain. Yet new avenues for cooperation, connectivity, technology and economic partnership are also emerging.

Nepal must therefore approach this changing environment with clarity, confidence and prudence. Our foreign policy should remain firmly anchored in national interest while adapting to evolving realities.

In this regard, Professor Yadu Nath Khanal repeatedly reminded us that Nepal's foreign policy cannot be separated from our history, geography and developmental realities. He regarded non-alignment not as an abstract doctrine, but as a practical policy shaped by Nepal's unique circumstances and guided by independent judgement.

These insights remain highly relevant today.

On Nepal's Foreign Policy

Nepal remains firmly committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Panchasheel, non-alignment and peaceful coexistence. These principles continue to provide the foundation of our external relations.

At the same time, non-alignment should not be understood as passivity or isolation. As Professor Khanal argued, it requires active engagement, sound judgement and the ability to assess international developments from the perspective of Nepal's own interests.

Foreign policy is also inseparable from our domestic realities. Professor Khanal observed that diplomacy derives credibility from political stability and visible economic progress. A nation projects confidence abroad when it possesses confidence at home.

National Priorities: Good Governance and Prosperity

Our people today aspire to greater opportunities, development and prosperity, and our foreign policy must increasingly serve these national aspirations. In this context, the Government has placed good governance and rapid economic growth at the centre of its priorities. Our citizens, particularly the younger generation, expect results, opportunities and accountable institutions.

Accordingly, our diplomacy must contribute directly to Nepal's economic transformation. So, we have focused on effective and result-oriented development diplomacy. Our missions abroad are increasingly being oriented towards economic diplomacy, trade promotion, investment, tourism, technology partnerships and market access. Foreign policy must ultimately serve the welfare, aspirations and prosperity of our people.

Distinguished Guests,

From Geopolitics to Opportunity

Geopolitics is an enduring reality for Nepal. However, we should avoid viewing every issue exclusively through a geopolitical lens. Excessive caution or narrow interpretations of external developments can sometimes limit our ability to pursue legitimate opportunities for growth and cooperation.

In an interconnected world, geography should not be seen merely as a constraint. Properly understood, it can serve as a bridge connecting ideas, markets, peoples and opportunities. Our location offers possibilities for connectivity, trade, investment and regional cooperation.

This perspective has driven our recent diplomatic engagements with our neighbours. During my recent visits to India and China, our discussions focused on practical cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships.

1. With India, we emphasised connectivity, infrastructure, digital cooperation, cross-border payment systems, educational partnerships and emerging technologies. We also explored cooperation in artificial intelligence and regional language technologies that can benefit our societies.
2. With China, discussions focused on connectivity, energy cooperation, agricultural technology, customs modernisation and infrastructure development under mutually agreed frameworks.

Our objective is straightforward: to engage all partners on the basis of national need, mutual respect, national priorities and shared benefits.

Nepal's external relations are neither a zero-sum exercise nor a matter of choosing between partners. Rather, our diplomacy seeks balanced and constructive engagement to advance our national interests while maintaining friendly relations with all.

Nepali Diaspora

The protection of Nepali citizens abroad remains among the Government's foremost responsibilities.

Millions of Nepalis live and work overseas, contributing to the economies of their host countries while also supporting Nepal's economy and society. Their safety, dignity and welfare are utmost priority of our foreign policy.

Recent developments in various regions have demonstrated the vulnerabilities faced by our migrant workers during periods of conflict and instability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with our missions abroad, has therefore strengthened crisis response mechanisms, communication systems and consular support to ensure that Nepali citizens receive timely assistance when needed.

Distinguished Guests,

On Prof. Khanal's Contributions

Professor Yadu Nath Khanal viewed diplomacy as a serious intellectual endeavour. He believed that foreign policy required study, discipline, experience and a profound understanding of Nepal's historical evolution and geographical realities.

He reminded us that foreign policy is a serious and demanding field. It cannot be approached through slogans, emotions or superficial analysis. Just like Lee Kuan Yew, he also emphasized that effective diplomacy requires sound knowledge, informed judgement, institutional competence, sustained learning and discipline.

His observation that our foreign policy establishment requires both values and competence remains highly relevant today.

Equally important was his belief that Nepal must communicate confidently with both its own citizens and the wider world. A nation's image and credibility are important sources of influence. Trust, confidence and goodwill strengthen economic diplomacy, attract investment, promote tourism and support our broader national interests.

In many respects, Professor Khanal anticipated what we now describe as public diplomacy. He understood that diplomacy involves not only relations between governments but also the projection of a nation's identity, culture, values, aspirations and capabilities to enhance the image and dignity of the country.

Distinguished Guests,

As we conclude the Fifth Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series, we reaffirm our commitment to sustaining this important platform for dialogue and reflection. In future editions, we look forward to welcoming similarly distinguished national and international voices to contribute to Nepal's foreign policy discourse.

At a time of growing uncertainty in international affairs, Professor Khanal's emphasis on clarity, prudence, balance and national interest remains particularly relevant. His legacy encourages us to think more deeply, understand our own realities more clearly and engage the world with confidence and wisdom.

Let us therefore continue this dialogue not merely as an academic exercise, but as a collective effort to strengthen Nepal's foreign policy capacity, enhance our national dignity and advance the interests and aspirations of the Nepali people.

I once again thank Dr. Baburam Bhattarai for his insightful keynote speech, outlining our current geopolitical and geoeconomic situation and ways to capitalise the opportunities with his vision. I hope discussions and deliberations around his vision will continue in the days ahead.

I also thank Professor Jay Raj Acharya, Expert in the Steering Committee of this Series, for his support, and family members and relatives of Late Prof. Khanal for their presence here today.

Similarly, I commend the Foreign Secretary, colleagues in the Public Diplomacy Division and officials of the Ministry for their dedicated efforts in organising this programme, and the media and all participants for their valuable contributions.

I am confident that the ideas and insights that we have gained this evening will enrich our collective understanding and continue to inform our thinking and practice in foreign policy and diplomacy in the days ahead.

Thank you very much.

I wish you all a very pleasant evening.