Picture Source: AUN News
August 2022, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.26945.63849, License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Who rules Nepal? And how does politics impact governance, international relations, geopolitics, and public policy in the Himalayan nation? The answer lies within Nepal’s governance system, which consists of executive, legislative, and judicial branches and their checks and balances.
Structure of the Nepali Government
Nepal is a federal republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Constitution of Nepal establishes the framework for the governance system. The Prime Minister heads the executive branch and is the government head. The President is the head of the state of Nepal. The legislature is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislature. It includes the Supreme Court (headed by the Chief Justice) and lower courts. The governance system in Nepal has four branches that play different roles in ensuring checks and balances among them. The Parliament is the legislative body that makes laws for the governance system in Nepal. Executive power vested under the President goes into carrying out all laws passed by Parliament. The judiciary, meanwhile, is responsible for settling disputes related to enforceable law or as instructed by Parliament or other recognized legal authority such as King’s edict. Nepali public policy also faces challenges such as protectionism and economic isolationism, which can prevent people from accessing markets on a global scale. To solve this issue, the country needs to keep up with WTO standards, use tools like anti-dumping duties and safeguard measures, establish more FTAs and promote FDI inflows.
Public policy plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development goals.
Political Parties
Nepal has two main political parties- the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Nepali Congress. There are also several smaller parties. The Communist Party of Nepal is the largest in the country and has been in power since 2017. The Nepali Congress is the second-largest party and was in control from 2008 to 2017. These two parties have been sharing power back and forth since 1990. The significant factors steering politics in Nepal are ethnicity, religion, caste, and language. Geopolitics also plays a role, as Nepal is between India and China. Nepal’s relations with both countries are complex and often change depending on which party is in power. Politics also shape public policy in Nepal. For example, if one party is perceived as doing a better job providing services such as clean water or building roads than another, it will likely be voted into office again. As such, public policies enacted under different governments may vary. In domestic politics, the significant factor steering politics in Nepal is the rivalry between these two main political parties, the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist). These parties have been competing for power since the end of the monarchy in 2008. The rivalry has often led to violence and political instability. It has also contributed to weak economic growth, high unemployment, and unsustainable development. For example, after protests over new elections legislation intensified in January 2015, the economy contracted by 1% due to disruptions in trade along key border points and export sectors. The SDGs are one international goal that needs to be addressed when looking at public policy in Nepal. In order for sustainable development goals to be achieved, nations need economic growth and environmental protection. Economically, Nepal relies heavily on remittances from migrant workers abroad and tourism. Tourism can create jobs while preserving natural resources. Nepal is also an essential supplier of hydroelectricity to India through the massive Tarai Plains irrigation project. With these factors in mind, public policy should focus on achieving these SDGs by improving literacy rates so citizens can read about these issues and voting rates. Hence, people participate in governance rather than relying on politicians for solutions.
Geopolitical Considerations and International Relations
With India to the south and China to the north, Nepal is a landlocked country. As a result, its foreign policy is shaped by its need to maintain good relations with both countries. Additionally, because of its location, Nepal is an important transit point for goods going from India to China. This gives it some leverage in its relations with both countries. Geopolitics impacts Nepal in many ways, which is why it is critical that Nepal maintain peaceful relations with neighboring countries. Nepal should work closely with China, India, and the United States. International relations are affected by geopolitics – national security threats like insurgency and terrorism pose significant risks to the international relation in Nepal.
Nepal’s Foreign Policy: Stuck Between India and China
A country’s foreign policy is directly influenced by its location, and Nepal is no exception to this rule. As you can see on the map, Nepal borders only two countries, India to the south and China to the north. For this reason, any foreign policy that Nepal develops must be strategic and well-executed in order to maintain positive relations with both of these neighboring countries. However, this task can be made particularly difficult by the fact that these two nations have historically had strained relationships with one another, making it even more important for Nepal to keep them both happy.
Regional Overview
Nepal is a landlocked country located between India and China. As a result, its foreign policy is shaped by its need to maintain good relations with both countries. Nepal is an important transit point for India and China and has been the site of some terrorist activity in recent years. Nepal-China relations have been strained in recent years due to disputes over the Nepal-China border. Indo-China relations have also been strained in recent years due in part to the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan. Due to the relative ease with which extremists can enter from India or Pakistan, terrorism in Nepal is primarily sponsored by non-state actors rather than state actors. The presence of these militant groups has led to tensions between India and Nepal, as well as Indo-Nepal relations being increasingly strained. Nepal’s security forces are active against terrorists, but they lack training and resources. In response to this threat, Nepal adopted a new constitution in 2015 that was drafted largely by Indian experts so that it would be easier for Nepal to become a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). India is seeking greater access to Nepal’s natural resources, including hydroelectric power potential and timber reserves. A hydropower agreement between Nepal and India in 2015 gave India preferential treatment on electricity exports from Nepal, which caused protests among Nepalese who believe their resources are not benefiting the Nepalese people.
Some history – from monarchy to democracy
Nepal was once a monarchy, but the King was overthrown in 2008, and the country became a democracy. Since then, Nepal has been trying to maintain good relations with both India and China, despite their many disputes. Nepal and China have had several border disputes, most notably in 2015 when Nepal attempted to build a road through the disputed territory. Nepal and India have also had their share of disputes, most recently over the construction of a hydropower plant in Nepal. The Indian company involved felt that it did not get fair compensation for its investment, so it pulled out of the project altogether. Nepal could not afford to abandon this project because it needs new sources of energy as well as jobs for its growing population. The two countries are now negotiating a way forward.
What are some current issues
Nepal-China relations have been strained in recent years due to a border dispute. In 2015, Nepal signed a treaty with China that included provisions for settling the border dispute, but the treaty has not been ratified by Nepal’s Parliament. Nepal-India relations have also been strained in recent years due to a border dispute. In 2015, India and Nepal signed a treaty that included provisions for settling the border dispute, but the treaty has not been ratified by Nepal’s Parliament. Nepal has expressed interest in joining the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is an infrastructure project led by China. Nepal fears it will be forced to choose between its two neighbors if it does join BRI or cannot settle its disputes with them peacefully. Nepal is trying to maintain good relations with both countries without appearing to favor one over the other. However, Nepal’s fear of being caught in the middle of India and China as they compete for regional dominance is valid. The United States has tried to keep these two countries from competing against each other through strategic investments that improve connectivity between Nepal and various parts of South Asia, such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Thailand. The United States would like to see Nepal become more self-sufficient so it can trade with whomever it wants rather than having to rely on India or China exclusively.
Challenges ahead
The geopolitical situation in Nepal is complex, to say the least. The country is bordered by two giants, India and China, with whom it has had its share of disputes. And while Nepal tries to maintain good relations with both countries, it is often caught in the middle of their disagreements. This can make things difficult for Nepal when it comes to formulating its own foreign policy. Ahead lies the challenge of trying to balance the interests of both India and China while also protecting Nepal’s own sovereignty. For example, Nepal was compelled to provide diplomatic support to Tibet during the 1950s revolt against Chinese rule as a result of pressure from India. In 2009, Nepal became involved in a border dispute with China over a small area known as the Sinchuang Valley. Even though this dispute was resolved thanks to efforts from Indian mediators peacefully, tensions remain high between Nepal and China over their disputed borders due to competing territorial claims that date back centuries.
Nepal SDGs
However, while there are challenges such as the ones mentioned above that affect public policy in Nepal and international relations in Nepal, so far, Nepal’s SDG targets have been achieved through rapid economic growth coupled with strong social indicators such as infant mortality rates. Nepal was able to achieve sustainable development goals such as quality education, gender equality, health equity, clean water and sanitation, and affordable and clean energy, among others, due to its rapid economic growth coupled with strong social indicators such as infant mortality rates. Nepal has established a strong infrastructure, including roads, railways, airports, and communication networks, to connect itself with other parts of the world. It also has tried to provide clean drinking water and adequate housing for all its citizens. Though Nepal still has great challenges like geopolitics or lack of democratic reforms, they have made progress on their SDGs by addressing access to healthcare and nutrition, reducing child marriage rates, and increasing investment in research (IMF).
Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Civil society organizations (CSOs) play an important role in democracy by providing a space for citizens to voice their concerns and influence decision-making. In Nepal, CSOs have been instrumental in advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, women’s empowerment, and environmental protection. They have also played a role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. CSOs are an important part of the governance system in Nepal and help to hold the government accountable. Nepal has set ambitious SDG targets, and it is important that CSOs continue to play their role in ensuring that these targets are met. Nepal must also focus on building alliances with other countries so as to take advantage of its natural resources and opportunities for trade. Nepal should balance economic growth while protecting its environment and be mindful of global warming trends. Nepal needs to diversify its economy if they want to reach its SDGs; this includes continuing agricultural reform policies like subsidizing fertilizer and seeds, establishing rural infrastructure projects like irrigation systems and roads, promoting tourism, improving gender equality through the implementation of laws such as inheritance laws for widows or female property owners, investing in social enterprises such as microfinance loans or rural enterprise development cooperatives; working towards education reform like hiring more teachers from rural areas; initiating literacy programs through education reform; strengthening democratic institutions like local governments or representative bodies such as national assemblies; among others.
Leadership Qualities Needed for Democratic Leadership
In a country like Nepal, democratic leadership is essential for good governance. The ability to listen to diverse points of view, make informed decisions, and work collaboratively are key qualities needed for democratic leadership. Nepal is a small country with a diverse population, so it is especially important for leaders to be inclusive and take into account the needs of all Nepali citizens. Leaders also need to be able to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of Nepal, which includes relations with India, China, and the United States. Nepal has set ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), so leaders need to be committed to meeting these goals. Lastly, public servants need to be honest and transparent in order to gain the trust of the Nepali people. It is important that they work hard to do what’s best for Nepal as a whole. Successful countries are those that balance competing interests and demands while still putting the needs of their citizens first. Nepal can continue to become more successful by ensuring good governance while working together toward its SDG targets. Achieving these SDGs will help Nepal address issues like poverty and inequality; achieve sustainable economic growth; provide clean water, sanitation, energy, and health care; protect natural resources; reduce child mortality rates; and create decent jobs for youth, among others.
Challenges to Democratic Reforms in Nepal
Since the end of the Nepali Civil War in 2006, Nepal has been working to establish a more stable democracy. However, the country faces many challenges in this regard. For one, Nepal is a very diverse country, and it has more than 100 different ethnic groups. This can make reaching a consensus on political issues difficult. Additionally, Nepal is a poor country, and many of its citizens are illiterate. This makes it hard for people to participate fully in the political process. Moreover, there is a lot of corruption in Nepal’s government. This makes it difficult for the government to function effectively and makes it hard for the Nepali people to trust their leaders. Finally, Nepal is located between two very powerful countries, India and China. However, Nepal has historically had good relations with both these countries. Some worry that as both countries become more economically and militarily powerful, they will come into conflict with each other. Nepal could find itself drawn into these conflicts if not careful. Nepal must also face climate change and natural disasters like earthquakes. These changes have already caused the poverty rate to increase by 5% since 1991. Nepal has made some efforts to address these problems; in 2015, they announced a new constitution that enshrines secularism and gender equality, among other progressive ideas. Nepal is now working toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. These goals include ending poverty, providing education for all children everywhere, promoting clean energy use, fighting climate change, and taking urgent action on environmental pollution, among others. Nepal still has a long way to go before it achieves these goals, but recent progress gives hope for continued progress.
Role of Global Communities in Supporting Democratic Reforms
In recent years, Nepal has made great strides in consolidating its democracy. Global communities can play a role in supporting these democratic reforms by providing financial assistance and technical support. In addition, they can also help to promote good governance practices and raise awareness about the importance of democracy. Nepal still has a long way to go in terms of achieving all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Still, with the support of the international community, it is possible to achieve these goals. It is important for Nepal to consider its geopolitical location and how this affects public policy because it will affect whether or not other countries want to cooperate with Nepal on issues such as trade, security, education, and more. Countries like China are seeking to extend their influence over Nepal due to Nepal’s strategic position in South Asia. Countries such as India are concerned that if Nepal becomes too dependent on China, it could lead to an increase in terrorist activity within Nepal. The Nepalese government should work closely with both the Indian and Chinese governments to develop a foreign policy that promotes Nepal’s sovereignty while ensuring peace in the region. Nepal’s natural resources make it an attractive candidate for development. It possesses extensive hydropower potential, which could power industries throughout Nepal, making it one of the least-polluting energy sources. Additionally, Nepal has large reserves of chromite, which could be used to make products such as stainless steel, chrome plating, and chemicals, including fertilizer. Nepal must consider its geopolitics in order to develop public policy because there are many competing interests between neighboring countries that Nepal needs to take into account when forming relations with neighboring nations. Suppose a country wishes to establish better relationships with other countries through trade agreements or any other means. In that case, they need to be aware of what those neighbors expect from them in return – what kind of agreements would need to be established?
Conclusion
In conclusion, the governance system in Nepal is shaped by a variety of factors, including its history, geography, religion, and culture. These factors have a significant impact on Nepal’s politics, international relations, geopolitics, and public policy. Nepal has made progress toward achieving some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but there is still much work to be done. To further its progress, Nepal must continue to address the challenges posed by these various factors. By continuing to work toward achieving its goals, Nepal can ensure that they are meeting the SDG targets. The geopolitics of Nepal also plays an essential role in shaping how it reaches sustainable development. For example, through trade agreements with China and India, Nepal will see an increase in their Gross Domestic Product as well as economic stability for both countries. If Nepal continues to move forward with its sustainability goals, it will be able to successfully meet many more targets than just those outlined under SDG 17 (life on land).
Author: Arindam Bhattacharya
Chairman, Advocacy Unified Network
