KATHMANDU: Suraj Vaidya, Honorary Consul General of the Philippines to Nepal, has been elected Dean of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN).
Baidya, a former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), was unanimously elected at the HCCN General Assembly held in Kathmandu on Thursday.
He succeeds Bhola Bikram Thapa, Honorary Consul General of Bulgaria to Nepal, who served as the outgoing Dean. The General Assembly also elected Pasang Dawa Sherpa as Vice Dean of the HCCN.
Following his election, Vaidya said attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), promoting tourism and strengthening Nepal’s economic diplomacy would be the key priorities of his tenure.
He said he would work to deepen Nepal’s engagement with the international community and expand economic cooperation through stronger diplomatic and business partnerships.
Vaidya said the HCCN currently represents more than 64 countries that make significant contributions to the global economy, international trade, technology, innovation, tourism and investment.
“Strengthening Nepal’s engagement with these countries, which together represent a population of more than five billion and an economy worth over US$100 trillion, presents a significant opportunity for the country’s economic development,” he said.
He noted that economic diplomacy has become increasingly important as Nepal seeks to attract investment, generate employment, expand tourism and boost international trade.
According to Vaidya, honorary consuls serve as an important bridge not only between governments but also among the private sector, investors, entrepreneurs, educational institutions and local communities.
Delivering the keynote address, foreign affairs analyst and former Major General of the Nepali Army Binoj Basnyat said Nepal should seize opportunities created by the changing global geopolitical landscape to advance its national interests through economic diplomacy, institutional reforms and a strategic foreign policy.
He said Nepal should pursue a clear national strategy, strengthen confidence in its foreign policy and adopt proactive diplomacy amid shifting global power dynamics, the growing significance of the Indo-Pacific region and increasing geopolitical competition.
Basnyat argued that Nepal’s foreign policy should be guided by active non-alignment, balanced relations with its neighbours, regional cooperation and “smart diplomacy.” He stressed that diplomacy should be used as an effective tool to attract investment, technology, knowledge and development opportunities.
He also called for the effective mobilization of Nepal’s diplomatic network, including 41 embassies, three permanent missions, 10 consulates general and 64 honorary consuls and consuls, to promote foreign investment, innovation, knowledge exchange and development partnerships.
Outgoing Dean Bhola Bikram Thapa said the HCCN has submitted a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the aim of making the organization a strategic partner of the government in economic diplomacy.
He said the HCCN could serve as a “force multiplier” by leveraging its network across 64 countries to promote foreign investment, technology transfer, trade, tourism and connectivity.
Thapa also said the HCCN has submitted a proposal to the Department of Passports to support improvements in its queue management system and expressed confidence that the project would be implemented once the necessary approvals are obtained.
Comment