Nepal withdraws diplomatic number plates for Honorary Consuls, orders red plates on vehicles

KATHMANDU, Oct 10: The government has withdrawn the blue diplomatic number plates previously issued to vehicles used by honorary consuls appointed by foreign countries to Nepal.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri confirmed the decision, citing adherence to international law, reciprocity, the Rules Relating to Honorary Consuls, 1982, and prevailing global practices.

“The government made this decision also based on complaints about the misuse of vehicles with blue number plates,” Paudel told Republica.

Nepal hosts a total of 67 honorary consuls, most of whom are prominent business figures. Around 50 consuls are believed to be currently using the blue plates, marked with the “HCC” designation. Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), holders of diplomatic number plates enjoy unrestricted movement and police cannot search or arrest them even if they are suspected of illegal activities.

The latest decision by the government comes amid allegations that a number of consuls in Nepal are misusing this privilege, including involvement in illegal trade and black marketing.

The government had withdrawn this privilege, which was given in 2007, from honorary consuls in April 2020 during the tenure of Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, following the arrest of an honorary consul over black marketing of China-made thermal guns, which were then widely used for COVID-19 testing.

Influential business figures later exerted pressure on the government, leading to the reinstatement of the blue plates under former Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan Khadka—a move that drew widespread public criticism.

The current directive instructs honorary consuls to convert vehicles bearing blue plates to standard private registration with red plates. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with relevant authorities to implement this decision,” Paudel said. The change will allow police to search and arrest consuls if they are found involved in suspected illegal activities.

Certain ceremonial privileges, however, remain intact. Honorary consuls may still display the national flag of their appointing country during national day celebrations in Nepal, official visits by foreign heads of state, government leaders, or foreign ministers, and during formal receptions, farewells, or ambassadorial visits, according to MoFA.