SATV, 10th March. Friends of Silk Road Club-Nepal organised a half-day seminar titled “Safeguarding Nepal’s national interest in changing geopolitics in South Asia” on 10th March, 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This panel discussion held at Malla hotel was divided into three sections. The first, "Rise of Powers; Balancing Geopolitics by keeping Nepal at Centre", second; "Connectivity is key, Nepal's Role in Regional Cooperation" and third; "Exploring Opportunities, Water-Energy-Food Nexus" The event brought together foreign affair experts, researchers, academia, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, students and media.
The event touched and discussed Nepal’s position and role in evolving geopolitics and engagement with neighbors and other countries in recent times in the first session by Dr. Dev Chandra Bhatta, a geopolitical analyst, Gopal Khannal, Foreign Affairs Expert and Akhilesh Upadhyaye, former Chief editor of The Kathmandu Post.
The attempts to balance changes in the contemporary global power structure, and explored the possible strategic approach to safeguard nationality and ensure pragmatic breakthrough in Nepal’s foreign policy was brought into conversation. Dr. Dinesh Bhattarai, Former Ambassador of US, Dr. Niranjan Man Singh Basnet, Former Ambassador and International Relation Expert, Matrika Paudyel, senior resources person, Institute of Foreign Affairs gave their remarks on the second session.
It also touched upon regional cooperation, potentials in connectivity, water, energy and food nexus, and tried to build consensus on how Nepal could best leverage foreign interests. Ganesh Shah, Former Minister for Environment, Prabal Adhikari; Former Deputy Managing Director, Nepal Electricity Authority, Biswo Parajuli; Development/Food Security Expert and Asish Garg, Chair, Energy Council, Confederation of Nepali Industries provided their expertise in the third session.
First discussion kept forward that Border land is projected with power by state. Nepal's boarderland settlements are slowly fading while other countries are establishing boarder villages. Panelist concluded that Nepal should also have an internal narrative build for self dependency to drive and connect all Nepalese consciousness.
The second session focused on various south Asian institutions built to develop south Asian nations like SAARC and BIMSTEC. But due to internal conflict between nations like India and Pakistan, SAARC which headquarters have already been installed in Nepal for 10 years now is like victimised nations due to its lack of mobility. SAARC bilateral tussel victimised entire region. Three countries of SAARC including Pakistan isn't a member of BIMSTEC and expertise believe that India wants to isolate Pakistan that took SAARC to abandoned almost dead state. But expertise opined that BIMSTEC is also being a failure.
They forward that immediate neighbors should be connected and bilateralism should be followed. National security council observes foreign policy and security things which needs to be strengthened.
The third session as discussed about water food and energy of the nation, they disclose that China is into establishing hydropower of 60,000 megawatt hydropower in Bramhaputra river. India being conscious about its own security then intends to establish 10,000 megawatt in the river. Nepal also needs to be conscious about its energy production. But Chinese interest and investment in energy projects of Nepal has been an interest to Indian government again causing more chaos. The power tussel and influence between two countries resulted India to not buy Nepal's energy from the hydropower which was constructed by Chinese in Nepal. Expertise suggest that multipurpose resilient projects should be focused and should produce sharp diplomats and foreign affairs ministers rather than recruiting any personal relatives in such important positions to deal with this power tussels wittly that has greatly influenced Nepal inbetween.
