Reimagining Nepal's foreign policy: A new strategic vision

Reimagining Nepal's foreign policy: A new strategic vision

As a former prime minister with a long career in revolutionary and progressive politics, I want to share insights from practical experience that may guide the young leaders who now hold the decision-making seat, beginning with how our foreign policy has evolved over two and a half centuries.

As a former prime minister with a long career in revolutionary and progressive politics, I want to share insights from practical experience that may guide the young leaders who now hold the decision-making seat, beginning with how our foreign policy has evolved over two and a half centuries.

Opinion 10 Jul, 2026

Rage of the age: The allure of self-help books

Rage of the age: The allure of self-help books

This is the age of instant nirvana for the ubiquitous, all-pervading self-help, or New-Age, books. The self-help assemblage covers a broad spectrum of publishing, or a dizzying plethora of topics, that gets marooned under its own weight — business, management, self-improvement, psychology, health and fitness, including fiction.

This is the age of instant nirvana for the ubiquitous, all-pervading self-help, or New-Age, books. The self-help assemblage covers a broad spectrum of publishing, or a dizzying plethora of topics, that gets marooned under its own weight — business, management, self-improvement, psychology, health and fitness, including fiction.

Opinion 09 Jul, 2026

100 days of the RSP government: Few islands of excellence amidst an ocean of mediocrity

100 days of the RSP government: Few islands of excellence amidst an ocean of...

The government of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) headed by Prime Minister Balendra Shaha has completed 100 days in office. Also known as the honeymoon period in politics, the opposition generally keeps silent during this time after which they appreciate or criticise its performance.

The government of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) headed by Prime Minister Balendra Shaha has completed 100 days in office. Also known as the honeymoon period in politics, the opposition generally keeps silent during this time after which they appreciate or criticise its performance.

Opinion 08 Jul, 2026

The silent trap of Nepal's pesticide crisis: Science-based intervention is the solution

The silent trap of Nepal's pesticide crisis: Science-based intervention is the...

Pesticides are the backbone of Nepalese agriculture. However, farmers are finding that chemicals that used to work earlier are now failing to protect their crops.

Pesticides are the backbone of Nepalese agriculture. However, farmers are finding that chemicals that used to work earlier are now failing to protect their crops.

Opinion 07 Jul, 2026

Stop splurging, start snowballing: The journey from the Marshmallow Effect to the Hockey Stick Effect

Stop splurging, start snowballing: The journey from the Marshmallow Effect to the...

Most of the people in the world dream of long-term financial growth and financial freedom, yet only a few achieve it.

Most of the people in the world dream of long-term financial growth and financial freedom, yet only a few achieve it.

Opinion 06 Jul, 2026

The new Vice Chancellor of TU: A defining test for Nepal's higher education

The new Vice Chancellor of TU: A defining test for Nepal's higher education

"A university rises or falls on the quality of its leadership." The appointment of a new Vice Chancellor at Tribhuvan University (TU) is far more than a routine administrative change. It is a defining moment for Nepal's higher education system and a rare opportunity to chart a new course for the nation's oldest, largest, and most influential university.

"A university rises or falls on the quality of its leadership." The appointment of a new Vice Chancellor at Tribhuvan University (TU) is far more than a routine administrative change. It is a defining moment for Nepal's higher education system and a rare opportunity to chart a new course for the nation's oldest, largest, and most influential university.

Opinion 03 Jul, 2026

Reclaiming the streets in Newroad area: What it says about Kathmandu's urban future

Reclaiming the streets in Newroad area: What it says about Kathmandu's urban future

Kathmandu’s historic Newroad-Indrachowk road, which has long been defined by congestion and chaos, has undergone a significant transformation over the past year.

Kathmandu’s historic Newroad-Indrachowk road, which has long been defined by congestion and chaos, has undergone a significant transformation over the past year.

Opinion 02 Jul, 2026

Democratic socialism, socialism, and now social democracy: New or old wine in a new bottle?

Democratic socialism, socialism, and now social democracy: New or old wine in a new...

The much-hyped First National Convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) came to a dreary end. It was initially planned for three days but dragged on for six days, amid widespread acknowledgement of major management failures.

The much-hyped First National Convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) came to a dreary end. It was initially planned for three days but dragged on for six days, amid widespread acknowledgement of major management failures.

Opinion 01 Jul, 2026

Strategic autonomy in a multipolar Asia: Nepal's smart diplomacy through active non-alignment

Strategic autonomy in a multipolar Asia: Nepal's smart diplomacy through active...

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s recent visits to New Delhi (5-7 June) and Beijing (14-17 June) were more than routine diplomatic engagements.

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s recent visits to New Delhi (5-7 June) and Beijing (14-17 June) were more than routine diplomatic engagements.

Opinion 29 Jun, 2026

RSP's first convention: A search for vision to drive the country

RSP's first convention: A search for vision to drive the country

Bharatpur is buzzing with political activities with the first three-day General Convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) now heading towards its fag end.

Bharatpur is buzzing with political activities with the first three-day General Convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) now heading towards its fag end.

Opinion 27 Jun, 2026

The FATF grey list: What it means for ordinary people

The FATF grey list: What it means for ordinary people

Ram Bahadur Thapa works on a construction site in Qatar. Every month, he sends Rs 40, 000 home to his wife Sita and their two children in Dhangadhi.

Ram Bahadur Thapa works on a construction site in Qatar. Every month, he sends Rs 40, 000 home to his wife Sita and their two children in Dhangadhi.

Opinion 26 Jun, 2026

Conscious realities: Of 'being there' and 'doing'

Conscious realities: Of 'being there' and 'doing'

Consciousness is, in essence, something that exists with its own identity. It may, therefore, be construed that it is distinct from all other objects, processes, energies and also realities the physics of consciousness would reveal.

Consciousness is, in essence, something that exists with its own identity. It may, therefore, be construed that it is distinct from all other objects, processes, energies and also realities the physics of consciousness would reveal.

Opinion 25 Jun, 2026

The gravitas of cricket diplomacy: Way to formal engagements between nations

The gravitas of cricket diplomacy: Way to formal engagements between nations

In recent years, the concept of sports diplomacy has gained attention as a means to foster international relations and promote peace. Perhaps for the first time, Nepal has a prime minister who is interested in cricket and understands it well.

In recent years, the concept of sports diplomacy has gained attention as a means to foster international relations and promote peace. Perhaps for the first time, Nepal has a prime minister who is interested in cricket and understands it well.

Opinion 23 Jun, 2026

Homelessness in Kathmandu: A policy gap we can no longer ignore

Homelessness in Kathmandu: A policy gap we can no longer ignore

A child in Kathmandu is heard saying, “Keep on playing, but I will beg money for food in the evening.” Such moments are no longer hidden in the city—they appear on streets, under bridges, and in public spaces across the capital. Despite continued infrastructure expansion and visible development, homelessness remains an unresolved and persistent urban reality.

A child in Kathmandu is heard saying, “Keep on playing, but I will beg money for food in the evening.” Such moments are no longer hidden in the city—they appear on streets, under bridges, and in public spaces across the capital. Despite continued infrastructure expansion and visible development, homelessness remains an unresolved and persistent urban reality.

Opinion 22 Jun, 2026

The intellectual blindfold: Adhering unconditionally to the ruling faction

The intellectual blindfold: Adhering unconditionally to the ruling faction

Recently, an op-ed article published in a reputed national daily initiated a debate whether the traditional intellectual community is perturbed with Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah’s unconventional leadership style or have some prominent intellectuals shifted their allegiance towards the ruling faction.

Recently, an op-ed article published in a reputed national daily initiated a debate whether the traditional intellectual community is perturbed with Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah’s unconventional leadership style or have some prominent intellectuals shifted their allegiance towards the ruling faction.

Opinion 19 Jun, 2026

Trade, tourism, and connectivity diplomacy: Converting Nepal into a consistent international hub

Trade, tourism, and connectivity diplomacy: Converting Nepal into a consistent...

Nepal has spent decades defining itself as a country that others should want to engage with on account of its mountains, its geography, and its spiritual heritage.

Nepal has spent decades defining itself as a country that others should want to engage with on account of its mountains, its geography, and its spiritual heritage.

Opinion 18 Jun, 2026

Houses for poor families: Bagmati Pradesh takes the lead

Houses for poor families: Bagmati Pradesh takes the lead

The provincial governments are often portrayed as white elephants that a poor country like Nepal can ill afford.

The provincial governments are often portrayed as white elephants that a poor country like Nepal can ill afford.

Opinion 17 Jun, 2026

From political symbolism to smart diplomacy: Engage widely, align selectively, and decide independently

From political symbolism to smart diplomacy: Engage widely, align selectively, and...

Nepal’s relationship with India has long been described as special, unique, and indispensable. Yet despite this reality, Nepal-India relations have often oscillated between excessive optimism and unnecessary suspicion, frequently shaped by domestic political calculations rather than long-term national interests.

Nepal’s relationship with India has long been described as special, unique, and indispensable. Yet despite this reality, Nepal-India relations have often oscillated between excessive optimism and unnecessary suspicion, frequently shaped by domestic political calculations rather than long-term national interests.

Opinion 16 Jun, 2026

Indefinite sit-in protest of Tribhuvan University professors: Day 57

Indefinite sit-in protest of Tribhuvan University professors: Day 57

Education is the strongest foundation of modern development, and teachers are the strongest foundation of education. Roads, buildings, technology, industries, and commerce may transform a nation's outward appearance, but education alone has the power to shape human consciousness, character, judgment, work ethic, and the future of a nation.

Education is the strongest foundation of modern development, and teachers are the strongest foundation of education. Roads, buildings, technology, industries, and commerce may transform a nation's outward appearance, but education alone has the power to shape human consciousness, character, judgment, work ethic, and the future of a nation.

Opinion 15 Jun, 2026

Migrant workers need more than promises: Nepal's policies, budget, and diplomacy must protect them

Migrant workers need more than promises: Nepal's policies, budget, and diplomacy must...

Migrant workers remain central to Nepal’s public and political discourse. Political parties have promised jobs, governance reform, social protection, and economic transformation.

Migrant workers remain central to Nepal’s public and political discourse. Political parties have promised jobs, governance reform, social protection, and economic transformation.

Opinion 15 Jun, 2026