Foreign Minister Khanal Urges Pivot Toward Economic Diplomacy

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has called for reorienting Nepal's diplomatic outreach around domestic economic development, arguing that external engagements must move past conventional political ties. Speaking at the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs lecture series in Kathmandu, Khanal stressed that international relationships need to yield measurable economic gains such as trade expansion, foreign direct investment, technology sharing, and employment generation.

According to accounts from domestic outlets including Nagarik News and Nepal Samacharpatra, the foreign minister urged deploying embassies abroad to actively advocate for Nepali enterprises, explore fresh export markets, and help correct trade imbalances. Khanal identified tourism promotion and climate diplomacy as vital foreign policy priorities, noting that cultural outreach brings in foreign exchange and stimulates the local workforce.

Khanal added that successful economic diplomacy requires collaboration beyond the foreign ministry, urging structural coordination among government bodies, the domestic private sector, and non-resident Nepalis to draw in capital and plug into global supply chains.