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Celebrating 75th year of Nepal-US Diplomatic Relations

Rajeev Kunwar

May 2, 2022

5 MIN READ

Celebrating 75th year of Nepal-US Diplomatic Relations

Nepal’s bilateral relations with the United States of America were forged in 1947 during the petering out of the Rana oligarchy after the Post War World.

America was one of the four countries besides Britain, India and France to tie up diplomatic relations. Nepal is a good neighbor of India and China. America is the third power, a world power to maintain good ties with Nepal.

Both countries have primacy in diplomatic relations – mutual and reciprocal. Interests align on development diplomacy, world security, freedom, sovereignty and independent identity in international relations.

In these parameters to maintain fraternal relations to pursue peace and security based on liberty and justice is the hallmark of diplomacy.

Liberal democracy is the cornerstone of evolving global democracy and global development goals. Nepal is an important partner in this community of interests where the West leads modernity, development and democracy.

The 21st century belongs to the people who avow democratic conviction and peaceful diplomacy against authoritarianism, illiberal traits of polity and conflict or violence.

Many ingredients comprise Nepal-America bilateral relations such as in the domain of political, economic, educational, social, development, heritage preservation, nature conservation efforts, financial, scientific, technological and security.

It is not enough for America from Nepal’s policy posture. Meantime, America is proactive in world leadership where it cultivates like-minded countries and forges similar ideas among national and regional leaders.

Diplomacy engages these matters to optimize interests to the benefit of both. Some may provide kudos to these longstanding and cherishing memories of relations while some are critics of imperial and hegemonic overtures of America towards puny countries and powerless actors.

There are challenges, opportunities, risks and threats of proximity and intimacy in bilateral diplomacy in juxtaposition to the emerging power of India and the assertive peaceful rise of China.

So factors account for Nepal-America relations when the situation develops and envelopes in the immediate neighborhood, beyond it in Asia-Pacific and the world theater at large.

Nepal can feel the contentment of global policy based on our experience and perception of the world. Nepal’s world view is independent, autonomous and sovereign.

Sometimes it may create unease in the West of Nepal not being fully aligned with their diplomatic posture or policy rhetoric.

Nepal cannot compromise on the ideals and reality of world affairs abiding by the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and basics or fundamentals to conduct international relations.

In the global hotspot of geopolitical rivalry, space invasion has become a real issue of species to travel across geography not only in the case of human beings or political individuals but also a perennial movement of fauna, the international experts indulge to study and ensure survival.

As in the past Nepal’s position is clear on international issues that America finds or concludes to be insatiable to its global interests.

Liberalism, democracy and capitalism are becoming universal aspirations mainstream political and civil society of Nepal and America both reckon with.

It is not enough for America from Nepal’s policy posture. Meantime, America is proactive in world leadership where it cultivates like-minded countries and forges similar ideas among national and regional leaders.

While development is Nepal’s prime agenda and simultaneously it is securing democracy to support peacebuilding and deliberative consensus based on freedom, justice and truth.

Good governance, economic prosperity and open government partnerships are common interests to enrich learning and insights that have tremendous potential and prospects for knowledge management in Nepal and America.  

Aid has preoccupied the menu of American diplomacy in Nepal. In a democratic change, it has become conducive to augmenting trade, investment and business so that employment opportunities, economic prosperity and lucrative enterprises embolden the spirit of good and robust bilateral relations.

Nepal’s public policy has attuned to the elemental forces of this contemporary epoch. Diplomatic choices are needed to be skillfully chosen to bring substantial reform, perform and transform bilateral relations when Nepal’s domestic affairs are right on the track.

Local elections are around the political corner and in the future capital, investment and technology are crucial to achieving the sustainable development Nepal is longing for. 

Liberalism, democracy and capitalism are becoming universal aspirations mainstream political and civil society of Nepal and America both reckon with.

75 years of bilateral relations is an anniversary of celebrating partnerships, ideals and interests of the two oldest state systems of the world. A turning point is actually in the offing in the tour d’horizon of diplomacy when experts of international relations stock take the impending future.

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