KATHMANDU, Aug 3: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced a diplomatic language training programme to strengthen the linguistic and professional capacity of its officers serving in Nepal’s foreign affairs service.
The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), which operates under the ministry, formally launched the initiative on Monday during an orientation session at IFA’s Sagarmatha Hall in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu.
Speaking at the inauguration, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said dialogue lies at the heart of diplomacy, adding that learning new languages broadens one’s worldview and enhances the ability to engage directly with international communities. He stressed that language proficiency is vital for building relationships, exchanging ideas firsthand, and sharing Nepal’s story with the world.
According to the IFA, the programme is designed to improve the language skills of foreign service officers and make their diplomatic engagement and international assignments more effective.
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IFA Executive Director Rojina Tamrakar said language and cultural understanding are essential for building trust, strengthening diplomatic ties, and promoting Nepal’s soft power and public diplomacy. She noted that the programme’s long-term success would depend on the discipline and commitment of participating officers, as well as continued institutional ownership and support from the ministry.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming addressed the programme on Chinese language learning and Nepal–China relations, while Chargé d’Affaires of the French Embassy Elsa Callet spoke on learning French and Nepal–France relations.
Dr Balaram Duwal, director for Nepal at the Confucius Institute under Tribhuvan University, and Anne-Laure Pottier, academic director of Alliance Française de Kathmandu, introduced the Chinese and French language curricula respectively, outlining their structure and learning objectives.
The IFA said Chinese language classes will be conducted in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, while French classes will be offered with support from Alliance Française de Kathmandu. Arabic language training is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks.
Chinese classes will be held three days a week, while French and Arabic classes will each be conducted twice a week. Each session will last one and a half hours.
The IFA said the programme forms part of a broader effort to integrate foreign language learning into Nepal’s diplomatic training system and strengthen the linguistic and professional competencies of the country’s officers serving in Nepal’s foreign affairs service.
