Diplomacy Demands Clarity

The questions raised by seven former Nepali ambassadors to China over the relatively open celebration of the Dalai Lama's birthday in Nepal deserve serious attention. Whether or not the government intended to signal any policy shift, the episode has created room for doubt at a time when Nepal can least afford misunderstandings with any of its neighbors. The government must therefore take immediate diplomatic measures to reassure China that Nepal's long-standing commitment to the One China policy remains unchanged and that Nepali territory will never be allowed to be used against any of its neighbors including China. For a country situated between two rising powers, stable relations with both China and India are not a matter of choice but of national interest. Nepal cannot change its geography, and it should not pursue policies or allow actions that unnecessarily erode the confidence of either neighbor. The emergence of even a perception that Nepal's policy toward China may be changing is therefore a matter of concern. The concerns appear to stem not only from the Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations but also from a series of recent developments that have fueled speculation about Nepal's foreign policy direction. The activities of the controversial TOB group during the Gen-Z movement, reports of its perceived proximity to some members of the current government, and growing international advocacy regarding Tibetan refugees have together created an atmosphere in which China's suspicions may have deepened. Whether these perceptions are justified is secondary; in diplomacy, perceptions often carry as much weight as reality.