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(2015-2016) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Nepal Kathmandu

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(2015-2016) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Nepal Kathmandu REPORT ON NEPAL'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS (2015-2016) MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT OF NEPAL KATHMANDU, NEPAL JUNE 2016 Nepal: Facts and figures Geographical location: Latitude: 26° 22' North to 30° 27' North Longitude: 80° 04' East to 88° 12' East Area: 147,181 sq. km Border: North—People's Republic of China East, West and South--India Capital: Kathmandu Population: 28037904 (2015 projected) Country name: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Head of State: Rt. Honourable President Head of Government: Rt. Honourable Prime Minister National Day: 3 Ashwin (19 September) Major language: Nepali (official) Major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism Literacy (5 years above): 65.9 % (census, 2011) Life expectancy at birth: 66.6 years (census, 2011) GDP per capita: US $761.59 (2014/15; preliminary after earthquakes 2015) Monetary unit: 1 Nepalese rupee = 100 paisa Main exports: Carpets, garments, leather goods, handicrafts, grain Source: Nepal in Figures, 2015, Central Bureau of Statistics, Thapathali Kathmandu, Nepal Message from theHon'ble Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kamal Thapa The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is bringing out its annual report containing the activities carried out by the Ministry, its departments and diplomatic missions during the period of 2072 BS (2015-16). The past one year remained challenging and yet was important in the history of Nepal. It began with a devastating earthquake of 25 April 2015, which left nearly 9,000 people dead and many more injured, and damaged thousands of private houses, public buildings and cultural heritages as well as critical infrastructures. We had to engage in rescue and rehabilitation as well as the preparation of legal and institutional frameworks for the herculean task of reconstruction throughout the year. At the same time, we had to fulfill the responsibility of finalizing the constitution and bringing the peace process that begun in 2006to a logical conclusion. Immediately after the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal and the formation of the present Government followed the disruption of supplies at the border points and we became actively engaged in clearing the misunderstanding with our southern neighbour, India. Thus, the year was full of events. In dealing with all these events, the Ministry played a vital role. Whether it was the garnering of international support in rescue and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the earthquakes, normalizing our relations with India or disseminating information about the democratic values and ideas enshrined in our newly promulgated constitution to the international community, the Ministry's role was proactive and in the forefront. Now, I am happy to note that our relations with India have not only been normalized, but, with the exchange of high level visits and clearance of misunderstanding, have also been further strengthened. Likewise, with the signing of Transit and Transportation Treaty and many other important documents during the visit of the Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli in March this year, an important dimension has been added to our relations with northern neighbour, China. In the past year, we worked closely with both India and China, and developed the foundations for promoting long-term economic relations based on mutual benefits. Similarly, the Government remained committed to developing and consolidating relations with all other friendly countries around the world, including major powers and development partners. The Ministry was equally active in the regional and multilateral fronts throughout the year. As the current Chair of SAARC and BIMSTEC, we became engaged in promoting cooperation under the regional initiatives. I recall the successful conclusion of the 37thMeeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers in Pokhara FOREWORD in March this year. We joined Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as dialogue partner and Asia Cooperation Dialogue as member this year, reaffirming our faith in the importance of deeper cooperation under the regional arrangements. The year 2072 B.S. was a year of unprecedented hardship on the one hand and Nepal continued to give high importance to the role of the United Nations in the resilience and hope on the other hand for Nepal and the Nepalese people. It was maintenance of international peace and security, including through peacekeeping a year that will have great resonance and ramification in the annals of Nepal's missions. We continued to maintain unflinching commitment to the principles of history. It will be remembered as a year of endurance as well as a milestone in the human rights and fundamental freedoms. lane that will be treaded upon by future generations to come. With the promulgation of the constitution and resolution of political issues, Nepal Certainly, the chronicle of Nepal’s’ major diplomatic activities will be of immense has entered into a new era, the era of peace, stability and economic development. importance for wider readership. In this context, it is satisfying to mark the We have certainly put our feet on the right track. Our days ahead, however, are publication of Annual Report 2072 B.S. (2015-16) which has been prepared not easy. Political achievements are yet to be supported by economic prosperity. incorporating the review of efforts and achievements of Ministry of Foreign Affairs The objective of socio-economic transformation of the nation and establishment and our missions abroad in the year 2072 B.S. of a just and prosperous society is yet to be achieved. The mega reconstruction initiative has just begun and needs rigorous efforts for its timely completion. Albeit the devastating earthquakes took a heavy toll on human lives and resources, Against all these, the role of Foreign Ministry and its officials has become even the spirit and determination of the Nepali people remained unshaken. Thanks to more crucial and challenging. the tremendous support and solidarity of our neighbours, other friendly countries and people across the world, Nepal was able to stand up amidst the devastation of In recent years, the nature and orientation of foreign policy and diplomacy has the earthquakes, determined to 'build back better'. The country is now embarking undergone continuous change. The foreign policy matters have now become more on a five-year plan of Post-Disaster Recovery Framework with generous support complex, dynamic and multidimensional. In this context, the Foreign Ministry from our development partners. has to play more assertive, pragmatic and strategic role in achieving foreign policy objectives. This requires efficient, committed, and professional officials The promulgation of the Constitution last year concluded the political transition and diplomats. I am sure that our officials and diplomats are ready to face the and peace process and marked the historic point of departure for Nepal’s socio- challenge and are prepared to play such roles. economic transformation. The Constitution reaffirmed our collective pursuit to fortify Nepal’s position as a responsible democratic nation in the international Finally, I would like to convey my appreciation to the Foreign Secretary and all community. It was a culmination of the genuine aspirations of the sovereign officials in the Ministry, departments and missions abroad for their hard work in people of Nepal. bringing out this annual report. As this report records important works carried out by the Ministry, its departments and diplomatic missions in the past one year, The Constitution enshrines the directive principles on international relations as: it will be useful to students, scholars, policymakers and general readers who are “The State shall direct its international relations towards enhancing the interested in the foreign affairs of Nepal. dignity of the nation in the world community by maintaining international relations on the basis of sovereign equality, while safeguarding the freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and national interest of Nepal.” The country's diplomatic machinery will remain guided by these directive principles and the foreign policy as outlined in the Constitution. Contents Nepal continues to place high importance and priority on good neighbourly relations. The State visit of the Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister to India and Official Visit to People’s Republic of China this year played an important role in further Message strengthening the historically close and cordial relations with the two neighbours. Foreword Efforts to bolster our core national interest were successfully pursued during those visits. Overview 1 Our relations with fellow SAARC member states, development partners, major Neighbouring countries and South Asia 6 world powers and other friendly countries as well as our engagements with the Rest of Asia and the Pacific 28 United Nations and other international organisations and processes continued to grow in 2015/16. To advance the interests of LDCs, LLDCs and countries with Middle East and Africa 40 geological sensitivities like Nepal, we were involved in effective deliberations at various international forums. Successful interventions in the evolution of Europe and Americas 49 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were made, especially in the issue of Multilateral engagements 71 sustainable mountain development. Regional diplomacy 81 Realising the paramount necessity of collaboration in regional forums to embark upon a path of collective and shared development, we intensified our proactive Passport services 100
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