KATHMANDU: Former Nepali Ambassadors to various countries have formed a new association with the aim suggesting the government on foreign affairs.

Earlier, only the career diplomats had such kind of association in the past.  The new association of former ambassadors has come into existence since the previous association of the former ambassadors had technically no space for the ambassadors appointed politically, said a former ambassador.

With the new Association of Former Ambassadors of Nepal (AFANA) formed by former ambassadors appointed politically, now there are two associations of former ambassadors.

Although the former ambassadors representing the country in foreign lands and working to expand bilateral and multilateral relations do not need to have two separate organizations, the former ambassadors have been forced to form a separate organization as the Association of Former Career Ambassadors of Nepal (AFCAN) has technically no space for those diplomats appointed politically.

“This association is open to all the former diplomats,” said Dr Shambu Ram Simkhada.

It seems necessary to merge the two organizations to improve this situation. The Foreign Ministry has set a rule of 50/50 percent to be ambassadors from politicians and staffers. It is necessary for the political leadership to make diplomatic appointments on the basis of those who believe that the ambassadors can organize themselves in the diplomatic field by making themselves an official organization rather than a career ambassador.

Former Ambassador Simkhada has been elected as the President, Choplal Bhusal as the Vice President, Lucky Sherpa as the Secretary and Ramesh Koirala has been elected as the Treasurer.

Similarly, among those appointed as members of the organization include Dr. Arjun Karki, Prof. Dr. Bishwambhar Pyakurel, Dr. Vijayakant Karna, Dr. Rishi Adhikari and Yuvanath Lamsal.

The ‘AFANA’ was registered at the district administration office on Sunday.

Newly elected President Dr Simkhada said that the organization has been formed with the objective of organizing and commercializing the experience and contribution gained by the former ambassadors in the academic, intellectual and diplomatic fields.