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Dinesh Bhattarai
Dinesh Bhattarai, former diplomat and foreign policy expert, has served as the foreign affairs adviser of former prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Sushil Koirala.news@myrepublica.com
What does fractured mandate mean for foreign policy?
Published On: December 21, 2022 09:00 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Domestic and foreign policy problems are often inseparable. A nation is no stronger abroad than it is at home. The strength of foreign policy is based on sound and strong domestic policies. The strength abroad comes from the strength at home.
Great power competition in Pacific Islands has a lesson to Nepal
Published On: October 15, 2022 07:00 PM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Ukraine war and attendant crises have shown that world peace and security have come to be closely connected to energy/power market. This makes Nepal’s abundant water resources tied to security and stability in the larger context. Climate policy needs to be integrated in foreign policy and included in talking points at all levels. Climate justice has to be there for the “victims of climate change.”
A Mature Relationship: Nepal and the US at 75
Published On: June 11, 2022 02:30 PM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Relations between Kathmandu and Washington over the past seven decades have grown steadily covering a wide range of cooperation. The exchange of visits at senior officials’ level has been a regular feature in the bilateral relation.
China in the United Nations
Published On: November 4, 2021 06:30 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
China now heads four of the UN’s 15 Specialized Agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Telecommunication Union, United Nations Industrial Development, and International Civil Aviation Organization. As the US suspended funding to the WHO in 2020, China promised $2 billion to fight the pandemic. The Economist writes “any retreat by America from global leadership is an opportunity for China.”
Taliban’s return to Kabul: Implications for South Asia and beyond
Published On: September 4, 2021 06:30 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban carries enormous consequences for South Asia and beyond. Destabilization could start from there with Afghanistan once again becoming a safe haven for extremists working with their counterparts across the border in Pakistan. Developments in Afghanistan could significantly shift the balance of power and deepen the rivalry between the US and China.
Democratic Nepal and New China
Published On: July 9, 2021 03:10 PM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Irrespective of the changes in the international landscape over the past many years, Nepal and China have shown the friendliest behavior toward each other. They have supported each other and carried out development cooperation for mutual benefit.
Quo Vadis?
Published On: June 13, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Given the state of affairs since December 20, 2020 - the date of the first dissolution of the House of Representatives - the lack of constitutional norms and political morality and the character of leadership to bypass everything that becomes inconvenient for power grab, where is the leadership taking the country?
US in Afghanistan: In, Out and After
Published On: May 9, 2021 06:30 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
“Even as we are withdrawing our force, we are not disengaging from Afghanistan. We are remaining deeply engaged in diplomacy, in support for the Afghan government and its people, development economic assistance, humanitarian assistance, and support for the security forces.”
Missing principle in Nepal’s foreign policy?
Published On: April 28, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
It has been a consistent policy of Nepal not to make comments on the internal matters of any country and Nepal wants other countries not to show unnecessary concerns on its internal affairs. However, Nepal’s reiteration of its fundamental principles of foreign policy as enshrined in Article 50, 51 (1, m) of the Constitution which states conducting an independent foreign policy based on the Charter of the United Nations, non-alignment, principles of Panchsheel, and international law among others, has been uncompromising.
Challenge to democracy: Lessons from Myanmar
Published On: March 15, 2021 09:00 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
PM Oli’s assault on democracy is no less than that of any autocrats. Though the Supreme Court has restored the House, the country is trapped in uncertainty and vicious cycle of instability.
Democracy under attack in Nepal
Published On: December 21, 2020 06:01 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Prime Minister Oli betrayed the people’s mandate for stability, development and dignity and decided to cut short the life of five-year parliament in less than three years.
Nepal’s relations with India and China are independent of each other
Published On: October 16, 2020 07:10 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Nepal must work to avoid becoming a pawn at the hands of either of its two neighbors or going against them to please any powers.
Intelligence and Nepal’s foreign policy
Published On: February 13, 2020 10:11 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Continued neglect of intelligence in foreign policy formulating process has helped foreign intrigues to, what BP Koirala warned in 1976, make “Nepal a center of international conspiracy”
Understanding Chinese ambition
Published On: January 8, 2020 08:42 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Strategic culture, Professor Colin S Gray says, “rests primarily upon the interpretation of history and history’s geography.” In September 1949, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference met in its first session in Beijing to make final preparations to declare the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. It adopted the Common Program stating: “The principle of the foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China is protection of the independence, freedom, integrity of territory and sovereignty of the country, upholding of lasting international peace and friendly cooperation between the people of all countries, and opposition to the imperialist policy of aggression and war.”
Democratic socialism is what we need
Published On: December 12, 2019 10:15 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
In this age of sweeping transformation and intense polarization, social democrats stand as the lamppost for the greatest possible reconciliation between liberty and equality
Decline of democracy
Published On: September 30, 2019 02:40 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
While declaring the September 15 as the international day of democracy, the United Nations stated that “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of the people.” As democracy is about consulting, caring and comforting people, the job of any government is to protect people, improve their quality of life in larger freedom giving a sense of ownership in governance.
Time to enhance trust
Published On: August 21, 2019 01:25 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
The Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar is arriving in Kathmandu today to co-chair the fifth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission (JC) that was established in 1987. Welcome to Nepal! According to a press release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, the JC will review overall state of bilateral relations, and various areas of cooperation such as connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, water resource sectors, culture, education and other matters of mutual interests. JC was revived after a gap of over two decades in 2014 and the third meeting was held in Kathmandu in July 2014.
Understanding China
Published On: May 20, 2019 01:30 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
Attempts to contain and convert China will be counterproductive. Understanding China and working together with it to shape a secure and prosperous future is the need of the day
Emerging challenges
Published On: April 10, 2019 01:30 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
As Nepal respects sensitivities of its neighbors and friends, they must also respect Nepal’s priority to safeguard its independence, right to make decisions for its security and live with dignity
Isolating terrorism
Published On: March 20, 2019 01:30 AM NPT By: Dinesh Bhattarai
SAARC leaders should show vision, courage and sincerity to recognize the regional organization as the only institutional and pragmatic forum to create atmosphere of mutual trust
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