Foreign relations of Nepal

Nepal has traditionally maintained a non-aligned policy and enjoys friendly relations with neighboring countries, especially India and China. Constitutionally, foreign policy is to be guided by “the principles of the United Nations Charter, nonalignment, Panchsheel [five principles of peaceful coexistence] , international law and the value of world peace.” In practice, foreign policy has not been directed toward projecting influence internationally but toward preserving autonomy and addressing domestic economic and security issues. Nepal’s most substantive international relations are perhaps with international economic institutions, such as the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, a multilateral economic development association. Nepal also has strong bilateral relations with major providers of economic and military aid, such as France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, the United States, and particularly the United Kingdom, with whom military ties date to the nineteenth century. The country also maintains strong political relations with India and China, usually attempting to balance one against the other. However, relations with India are fraught with trade and border disputes and Indian suspicions that Nepalese and Pakistani rebels use Nepal as a haven to attack India. Relations with Bhutan have been strained since 1992 over the nationality and possible repatriation of refugees from Bhutan. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Nepal.pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.]

The People's Republic of China and India

As a small, landlocked country wedged between two larger and far stronger powers, Nepal maintains good relations with both China (People's Republic of China) and India. Because of strong cultural, religious, linguistic, and economic ties, Nepal's association with India traditionally has been close. India and Nepal restored trade relations in 1990, after a break caused by India's security concerns over Nepal's relations with the PRC. A bilateral trade treaty was signed in 1996. Nepalese can freely travel and do business in India without visa. Nepal's economy has also benefited from the surge in India's economy. Apart from Bhutan, Nepal is the only country which has open borders with India. Nepal formally established relations with the PRC in 1955, and since then their bilateral relations have generally been very good. As much as 20 thousand Tibetan refugees live in Nepal and this has been a major issue of concern between China and Nepal. Kathmandu has in several instances been brutally cracking down on the activities of the Tibetans receiving international condemnation. In 2005, Nepalese Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey called China "an all weather friend" and King Gyanendra's regime was also instrumental in inducting China into the SAARC. It received military assistance from Beijing irking India which in turn, facilitated an understanding of the underground Maoists and political parties against the King in Nov. 2005. After the success of the people's movement in April 2006, however, Sino-Nepal relations did not see any negative fall-out. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" made China his first foreign visit abroad after swearing in as the republic's first Prime Minister

Relations with the European Union

The European Union (EU) to Nepal relations is the relations between Nepal and the European Union (EU). The role of the European Union is to present, explain and implement EU policies, analyze and report on the political, social, and economic situation in Nepal, and to conducts negotiations in accordance with a given mandate. [ [http://www.ecdelegationnepal.org/en/about_us/role_of_the_ec_delegation.htm Role of the EC delegation to Nepal ] ]

Pakistan

The bilateral relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan were fully established between 1962 and 1963. [http://countrystudies.us/nepal/66.htm Nepal - Pakistan relations] ] Both nations have since sought to expand trade, strategic and military cooperation.

The State of Israel

Israel-Nepal relations, first established in 1960, are based on mutual security concerns. [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2007/Visit++of+Nepalese+Minister+for+Foreign+Affairs+12-Jul-2007.htm Visit to Israel of Honorable Mrs. Sahana Pradhan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal] Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal from 1959 to 1960, had a strongly pro-Israel foreign policy. King Mahendra visited Israel in 1963 and maintained Koirala's special relationship.Abadi, Jacob. "Israel's Quest for Recognition and Acceptance in Asia: Garrison State Diplomacy", 2004. Page 318.]

Relations with the United Kingdom

Relations between the UK and Nepal have historically been friendly and there have been close links between the Royal Families, although relations deteriorated when the King took power in 2005. A treaty of friendship was signed in 1923. The UK is highly regarded in Nepal. This is through historical ties, development assistance and long term support in the struggle for democratic peace in Nepal. Also of note is that through the recruitment of Gurkha soldiers by the British Army since the 19th century, Nepal has had links with the United Kingdom.

Relations with Germany

Nepal also enjoys especially friendly ties with the Federal Republic of Germany, which is a major export market for Nepalese goods. Germany officially recognizes Nepal as a priority country for German development assistance and academic exchanges [http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/en/laenderinfos/laender/laender_ausgabe_html?land_id=120&type_id=14] .

Relations with the United States

Nepal-United States relations are bilateral relations between Nepal and the United States.

The United States established official relations with Nepal in 1947 and opened its Kathmandu Embassy in 1959. Relations between the two countries have always been strong. U.S. policy objectives toward Nepal center on helping Nepal build a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic society.

Multilateral relations

Nepal has played an active role in the formation of the economic development-oriented South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and is the site of its secretariat. On international issues, Nepal follows a nonaligned policy and often votes with the Non-Aligned Movement in the United Nations. Nepal participates in a number of UN specialized agencies and is a member of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Colombo Plan, and the Asian Development Bank.

Human rights issues

Police forces sometimes use excessive force in quelling violent demonstrations, or demonstrations that may upset 'friendly countries'. In addition, there have been reports of torture under detention and widespread reports of custodial abuse. In 2000, the government established the Human Rights Commission, a government-appointed commission with a mandate to investigate human rights violations. To date, the Commission has investigated 51 complaints.

Some restrictions continue on freedom of expression. Trafficking in women and child labour remain serious problems. Discrimination against women and lower castes is prevalent.

International disputes

A joint border commission continues to work on small disputed sections of the border with India; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents

Illicit drugs

Illicit production of cannabis for domestic and international drug markets continues to ask as an international problem, as does rumours that the country operates as a transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West

ee also

* Nepal
* Nepalese diplomatic missions overseas
* 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship
* List of diplomatic missions in Nepal

References

External links

* [http://nepaldocumentary.com/Main.aspx RETURNED: Child Soldiers of Nepal's Maoist Army] Directed by Robert Koenig
* [http://www.mofa.gov.np/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal]
* [http://www.un.int/nepal Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Nepal to the United Nations]
* [http://www. European Union Culture Center]
* [http://www.kathmandu.diplo.de/de/Startseite.html Embassy of Federal Repuplic of Germany, Kathmandu]
* [http://www.ngcci.org/ Nepal German chanber of Commerce and Industry]
* [http://nepal.usembassy.gov/ United States Embassy in Kathmandu]
* [http://www.mofa.gov.np/relations.htm States which Nepal has relations with]