Nepal’s Foreign Policy: An Introduction Keshab Giri, Master of Research in International Relations, The University of Essex, UK. PhD Candidate, The University of Sydney, Australia A Lecture for MIRD 3 rd Semester, TU, Nepal Course Code: MIRD-514 ‘Nepal’s Foreign Policy’
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Nepal’s Foreign Policy: An Introduction
Keshab Giri, Master of Research in International Relations,
The University of Essex, UK.
PhD Candidate, The University of Sydney, Australia
A Lecture for MIRD 3rd Semester, TU, Nepal
Course Code: MIRD-514
‘Nepal’s Foreign Policy’
Contents for Today What is Foreign Policy? What are National Interests?
Tools in Foreign Policy and Process of Foreign Policy Making
Levels of Analysis in Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy of Modern Nepal: Brief History
Scope of Nepal’s Foreign Policy
Determinants and Guiding Principles of Nepal’s Foreign Policy
Limits in Nepal’s Foreign Policy & Solutions.
Bibliography, Q&A.
Meaning and Definition Foreign Policy: “Articulation of national
interests and the means to secure them”- Lamy, et al, 2013: page 112.
Ideational National Interests and Material National Interests.Ideational National
Interests Material National
Interests
Values Territorial Integrity
Norms Physical SecurityIdeology Trade
Political System WealthEconomic System Natural Resources
Meaning and Definition In National Interests, there are some
irreducible core interests (Hartmann, 1957:5) for which any state consider it worth to fight for. E.g. sovereignty, territorial integrity, protection of citizen, etc. It could also be subjective & dynamic.
Foreign Policy of a State ensures that such vital interests are clearly identified, protected, and promoted steadfastly.
“We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual”- Former British Premier Henry John Temple Palmerston.
Tools of Foreign Policy Making Different countries adopt different methods owing to level of Power they possess
(Military+ Latent), Geography, Political Culture and History, Demography and
Ethnicity, International Political System, Power Dynamics in the Region, etc.
For Great States military strength - major tool of Foreign Policy, Small States-
Diplomacy is the tool of Statecraft. Read Annette Baker Fox (2006); Keshab Giri
(2014)- Small States as Norm Entrepreneurs.
‘Foreign Policy is also an extension of domestic politics’- Qian Qichen (1990),
The Chinese Foreign Minister. Tweaking Clausewitz’s quote. This is even more
pertinent in case of small states.
Tools of Foreign Policy Making What tools and methods states employ to
achieve their Foreign Policy objectives or to
protect their National Interests?
1) Hard Power (Carrot and Stick): Military
Threats, Military Action, Military Aid, Economic
Sanctions, Economic Inducements, etc.
2) Soft Power (Appeal and Sermons):
Diplomacy, Negotiation, Cultural Exchanges,
Speeches, Sports, etc.
Process of Foreign Policy Making Actors: 1) Formal Actors: a) Executive (Primary): Foreign Ministry, Head of State, Cabinet Ministers, etc.b) Legislature (Secondary): Lawmakers
2) Informal Actors:b) Business Community/Leadersc) Think Tanksd) Mediae) Civil Societyf) Academicsg) Subnational level (City, Town, Municipality) and many more…
Process of Foreign Policy Making Making of Foreign Policy of State
1) Identification of Issues in Foreign Policy: Vision and Articulation
2) Formulate Foreign Policy: Coordination between Legislative and Executive
branches; consultation with Bureaucratic Agencies (Intelligence, Defence,
Foreign Affairs, Finance, etc.) and public (Experts) to formulate FP.
3) Implementation: Assignment of policies to various agencies (Army, Foreign
Ministry with division of responsibility.
4) Assessment: Evaluate the outcome; continuation, amendments, and
termination.
Foreign Policy and Levels of Analysis1.Individual: Personality, Biological Explanations,
Ideology/Beliefs, Cognitive Capability, Affective Bias, etc.
Foreign Policy and Levels of Analysis2. National: Capability (Military and Latent), Domestic
Politics, Decision-Making System, Geopolitics, Political
System, Economic System, Bureaucracy, etc.
Foreign Policy and Levels of Analysis3.Systemic: Anarchy, Distribution/Balance of Power,
2. Rana Regime: Appeasement of British East India Company
3. Advent of Democracy: Dependence upon India deepens; some resentments
4. Panchayat Era: Diversification of Foreign Relations
5. Restoration of Democracy and Maoist Insurgency: India again Midwife of
Nepal’s Political Transition
6. Republic Nepal: Resorting to Old Panchayat Era Balancing Act/ Equidistance.
Scope of Nepal’s Foreign Policy Which areas need due consideration in our Foreign Policy?
•Relationship with India and China: Pivot of our Foreign Policy
•Relationship with other Powers and Donors (Age of Globalization)
•IOs: UN, EU; RO: SAARC; International Economic Institutions: ADB, IMF, WB, etc.
•Economic Diplomacy: Donors, MNCs, Business Communities, IEIs, etc. for Investment
in Nepal.
Determinants of Nepal’s Foreign Policy
Geopolitics
Power (Military and Latent)
History & Political Culture
Culture and Ethnicity
International System and
Politics (Globalization)
Psychology
Objectives and Goals Protect National Sovereignty and Territorial
Integrity.
Preserving Autonomy while Building Relation
of Trust and Confidence with our Neighbours.
Bringing Foreign Investments to spurt
economic growth.
Promote Nepal as a Progressive Democracy
with Rule of Law, Protection of Human Rights,
and Equality.
Guiding Principles UN Charter Panchasheela Non-Alignment International Law and Value of Peace
Challenges in Nepal’s Foreign Policy Domestic Problems (Endless Political Transition) Geopolitics Lacklustre Economic Performance Human Resource in MoFA
Ways to Address Shortcomings of Nepal’s Foreign Policy
National Consensus and Uniformity on FP (FP White Paper with Clear Dos
and Don’ts, Political Goal Scoring/ Individual Gain)
Neutrality and Non-Alignment
Economic Prosperity
Human Resource Development (Recruitment: Political Appointment, to what
Track Two Diplomacy* (Cost Effective and Sustainable)
Selected Bibliography• Hartmann, F. H.(1957) The Relations of Nations. New York: The Macmillan Company.
• Fox, A. B. (2006) The Small States in International System, 1919-1969. International Journal, 24(4), pp 751-764.
•Qichan, Q. (1990) World Situation. Beijing Review, 33(3), page 16.
•Rothstein, R. (1968) Alliances and Small Powers. New York: Columbia University Press.
•Giri, K. (2014) Norm Entrepreneurs of SAARC. Ankara: Journal of Turkish Weekly. Available from: http://www.turkishweekly.net/op-ed/3226/norm-entrepreneurs-of-saarc.html [Published on 3rd November 2014].
•Mearheimer, J. J. (2001) Tragedy of Great Power Politics.
•Whelpton, J. (2005) A History of Nepal. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press
•Rose, L. E. (1971) Nepal: Strategy for Survival. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.