When sovereignty requires clarification

For generations, Nepal has proudly told the world a simple story: We were never colonised, and we never colonised others. In a world shaped by empires, occupations, annexations and territorial expansion, Nepal’s place in history has been different. We defended our sovereignty fiercely, but we never built our national identity around taking somebody else’s land. This is not merely a historical fact; it is one of the foundations of modern Nepal and one of the few narratives that unite Nepalis across political, ethnic, regional and ideological lines.

It is also central to Nepal’s international identity. When foreigners think of Nepal, they think of the birthplace of the Buddha, the Himalayas, peacekeeping troops, and a nation that has preserved its sovereignty while navigating the interests of two Asian giants. Nepal has long projected itself as a bridge between India and China rather than a battleground between them, and as a country that respects others’ sovereignty because it deeply values its own. Countries spend centuries building such a reputation. Sometimes, however, a single statement can cast doubt on one of the very principles on which that reputation rests.