KATHMANDU, Sept 14: Nepali Congress leader Govind Raj Pokharel has argued that the government’s diplomatic weaknesses may have contributed to India’s decision not to invite Nepal to the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
In a post on X, he cited Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s reported refusal to meet Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on the grounds that the latter did not hold an appropriate rank as the first reason.
Chinese Prez Xi presses for expansion of BRICS by including oth...
Pokharel also pointed to the appointment of strategic ambassadors, the government’s position of blaming the United States, China and India over climate change issues, and the reported refusal of rescue assistance from neighbouring countries.
He also claimed that South Korea was prevented from hiring helicopters to evacuate its citizens, suggesting that such actions may have affected Nepal’s diplomatic relations.
Pokharel urged the government to appoint ambassadors and build stronger ties with domestic and foreign experts, influential figures concerned with climate change, lawmakers and political parties. He said Nepal should work according to the interests of close partner countries while protecting its own national interests and maintaining coordination with all political parties.
“How much longer will we have to pay the price for diplomatic immaturity?” Pokharel asked.
Nepal was not invited to the conference held in New Delhi from Saturday to Sunday.
