1.8 Nepal's International Affairs and General Information on the UNO, SAARC & BIMSTEC
🇳🇵 Nepal's Foreign Policy
The fundamental objective of Nepal's foreign policy is to enhance the dignity of the nation by safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and promoting economic wellbeing and prosperity of Nepal. It also aims to contribute to global peace, harmony, and security.
📜 Guiding Principles:
Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty
Non-interference in each other's internal affairs
Respect for mutual equality
Non-aggression and the peaceful settlement of disputes
Cooperation for mutual benefit
Abiding faith in the Charter of the United Nations
Value of world peace
📖 Provisions of the Constitution of Nepal
National Interest (Article 5.1):
Safeguarding of the freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, nationality, independence, and dignity of Nepal.
The rights of the Nepalese people, border security, economic wellbeing, and prosperity shall be the basic elements of the national interest.
Directive Principles (Article 50.4):
The State shall direct its international relations towards enhancing the dignity of the nation in the world community by maintaining international relations on the basis of sovereign equality, while safeguarding the freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and national interest of Nepal.
State Policy (Article 51):
To conduct an independent foreign policy based on the Charter of the United Nations, non-alignment, principles of Panchasheel, international law, and the norms of world peace.
To review past treaties and make new treaties and agreements based on equality and mutual interest.
🤝 Relationship of Nepal with Neighboring Countries
During the Rana period, Nepal had diplomatic relations with only India and Britain. As of March 01, 2024, Nepal maintains diplomatic relations with 182 countries.
🌐 Countries with Diplomatic Relations Prior to 2007 B.S.
1
United Kingdom (UK)
1872 B.S. (1816 AD)
2
United States of America
Baishakh 12, 2004 (April 25, 1947)
3
India
Jestha 31, 2004 (June 13, 1947)
4
France
Baishakh 08, 2006 (April 20, 1949)
🌍 First Countries from Each Continent to Establish Relations:
Europe
Britain
1816
Asia
India
June 13, 1947
North America
America
April 25, 1947
Africa
Egypt
July 16, 1957
Australia
Australia
February 15, 1960
South America
Argentina
January 01, 1962
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GoN
🇸🇦 SAARC Countries with Diplomatic Relations:
1
India
June 13, 1947
2
Sri Lanka
July 01, 1957
3
Pakistan
March 20, 1960
4
Afghanistan
July 01, 1961
5
Bangladesh
April 08, 1972
6
Maldives
August 01, 1980
7
Bhutan
June 03, 1983
🆕 Latest Countries to Establish Diplomatic Relations (as of 2024):
167
Saint Lucia
August 27, 2019
168
Ghana
September 25, 2019
169
Dominica
April 30, 2021
170
The Gambia
May 24, 2021
171
Sierra Leone
June 29, 2021
172
Barbados
December 08, 2021
173
Timor-Leste
February 11, 2022
174
Republic of Palau
March 21, 2022
175
South Sudan
March 28, 2022
176
Belize
April 01, 2022
177
Trinidad and Tobago
June 16, 2022
178
Republic of Malawi
February 16, 2023
179
Republic of Nauru
May 04, 2023
180
Republic of Cameroon
June 22, 2023
181
Republic of Marshall Islands
June 23, 2023
182
Tonga
March 01, 2024
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GoN
💰 Nepal's Donor Countries and Agencies:
China
• Araniko Highway • Upper Trisuli Hydropower Project • Bhrikuti Paper Factory • Harisiddhi Bricks and Tile Industry • Hetauda Cloth Mill
🏛️ Formation of SAARC
The concept of regional political and economic cooperation in South Asia was first raised on May 02, 1980, by the President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman.
SAARC was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on December 08, 1985 (Dhaka Declaration).
Original Members (7): Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan joined as the 8th member at the 13th Summit (2006).
SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on January 17, 1987.
📜 SAARC Charter (Summary):
Article I: Objectives
Article II: Principles
Article III: Meetings of Heads of State/Government
Article IV: Council of Ministers
Article V: Standing Committee
Article VI: Technical Committee
Article VII: Action Committee
Article VIII: Secretariat
Article IX: Financial Arrangements
Article X: General Provisions
🎯 SAARC Objectives:
Promote welfare and quality of life of South Asian peoples.
Accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.
Promote collective self-reliance.
Build mutual trust and understanding.
Encourage collaboration in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific fields.
Strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
Strengthen cooperation in international forums.
Cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims.
⚖️ SAARC Principles:
Sovereign equality
Territorial integrity
Political independence
Non-interference in internal affairs
Mutual benefit
Cooperation complements bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Cooperation not inconsistent with bilateral and multilateral obligations.
👨💼 SAARC Secretaries-General:
1
Abul Ahsan
Bangladesh
Jan 16, 1987 – Dec 15, 1989
2
Kant Kishore Bhargava
India
Jan 17, 1992 – Dec 31, 1993
3
Ibrahim Hussain Zaki
Maldives
Jan 01, 1994 – Dec 31, 1995
4
Yadav Kant Silwal
Nepal
Jan 01, 1996 – Dec 31, 1998
5
Nihal Rodrigo
Sri Lanka
Jan 01, 1999 – Jan 10, 2002
6
Q.A.M.A. Rahim
Bangladesh
Jan 11, 2002 – Feb 28, 2005
7
Chenkyab Dorji
Bhutan
Mar 01, 2005 – Feb 29, 2008
8
Sheel Kant Sharma
India
Mar 01, 2008 – Feb 28, 2011
9
Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed
Maldives
Mar 01, 2011 – Mar 11, 2012
10
Ahmed Saleem
Maldives
Mar 12, 2012 – Feb 28, 2014
11
Arjun Bahadur Thapa
Nepal
Mar 01, 2014 – Feb 28, 2017
12
Amjad Hussain B. Sial
Pakistan
Mar 01, 2017 – Feb 29, 2020
13
Esala Weerakoon
Sri Lanka
Mar 01, 2020 – Present
14
Golam Sarwar
Bangladesh
Mar 04, 2023 – Present
Note: Term extended from 2 to 3 years from the 9th Summit.
🤝 Areas of Cooperation (16):
| 1. Science & Technology | 9. Biotechnology | | 2. Information, Communication & Media | 10. People-to-People Contact | | 3. Tourism | 11. Economic & Trade | | 4. Social Development | 12. Security Aspects | | 5. Energy | 13. Environment | | 6. Finance | 14. Culture | | 7. Agriculture & Rural Development | 15. Poverty Alleviation | | 8. Education | 16. Funding Mechanism |
🏛️ SAARC Specialized Bodies:
SAARC Development Fund (SDF): Funds project-based collaboration in social sectors.
South Asian University (SAU): Located in India; degrees at par with national universities.
South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO): Secretariat in Dhaka; harmonizes standards.
SAARC Arbitration Council: Based in Pakistan; provides legal framework for dispute settlement.
✍️ Signatories of SAARC Charter:
1
Birendra Bir Bikram Shah (Nepal)
2
Rajiv Gandhi (India)
3
J.R. Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
4
Jigme Singye Wangchuk (Bhutan)
5
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
6
Husain Muhammad Ershad (Bangladesh)
7
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (Maldives)
🏆 SAARC Summits:
1
Dhaka, Bangladesh
King Birendra
Dec 07–08, 1985
2
Bangalore, India
King Birendra
Nov 17–18, 1986
3
Kathmandu, Nepal
King Birendra
Nov 2–4, 1987
4
Islamabad, Pakistan
King Birendra
Dec 29–31, 1988
5
Male, Maldives
Krishna Prasad Bhattarai
Nov 21–23, 1990
6
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Girija Prasad Koirala
Dec 21, 1991
7
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Girija Prasad Koirala
Apr 10–11, 1993
8
New Delhi, India
Manmohan Adhikari
May 2–4, 1995
9
Male, Maldives
Lokendra Bahadur Chand
May 12–14, 1997
10
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Girija Prasad Koirala
Jul 29–31, 1998
11
Kathmandu, Nepal
Sher Bahadur Deuba
Jan 4–6, 2002
12
Islamabad, Pakistan
Surya Bahadur Thapa
Jan 4–6, 2004
13
Dhaka, Bangladesh
King Gyanendra
Nov 12–13, 2005
14
New Delhi, India
Girija Prasad Koirala
Apr 2–3, 2007
15
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Girija Prasad Koirala
Aug 2–3, 2008
16
Thimphu, Bhutan
Madhav Kumar Nepal
Apr 28–29, 2010
17
Addu City, Maldives
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
Nov 10–11, 2011
18
Kathmandu, Nepal
Sushil Koirala
Nov 26–27, 2014
19
Islamabad, Pakistan
Cancelled
—
🔑 Key Facts about SAARC:
Established: December 08, 1985
8 Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Secretariat: Kathmandu (established Jan 16, 1987)
SAFTA: Signed Jan 2004, effective Jan 2006
SATIS: Signed 2010, effective Nov 29, 2012
Nepal’s budget contribution: 10.72%
🎪 18th SAARC Summit (Kathmandu, 2014):
Theme: "Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity"
Outcome: Kathmandu Declaration (36 points)
Focus areas: Energy cooperation, AIDS eradication, cultural heritage
Next host: Pakistan (19th Summit – cancelled)
🏛️ SAARC Regional Centers (5 after merger):
SAARC Agricultural Information Center
Bangladesh
1988
SAARC TB & HIV/AIDS Center
Nepal
1992
SAARC Energy & Environment Centre
Pakistan
2006
SAARC Cultural Center
Sri Lanka
2009
SAARC Disaster Management Center
India
2016
Oldest: SAARC Agricultural Information Center (1988)
🪑 Chairmanship:
Host nation of the Summit assumes chair until the next Summit.
Nepal chaired after the 18th Summit (2014).
👀 Observer Countries (9):
Australia
China
European Union
Iran
Japan
Republic of Korea
Mauritius
Myanmar
USA
💰 Financial Contributions (SAARC):
India
30.32%
Pakistan
22.52%
Nepal
10.72%
Bangladesh
10.72%
Sri Lanka
10.72%
Bhutan
5.0%
Maldives
5.0%
Afghanistan
5.0%
🇳🇵 Nepal and SAARC:
Founding member
Hosted 3rd, 11th, 18th Summits
Signed SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism (1987)
Hosts SAARC Secretariat (Kathmandu)
Hosts SAARC TB & HIV/AIDS Centre (Bhaktapur)
First Secretary-General from Nepal: Yadav Kant Silwal (1994–1995)
Second Secretary-General from Nepal: Arjun Bahadur Thapa (2014–2017)
📅 SAARC Years:
1989
SAARC Year to Combat Drug Abuse
1990
SAARC Year of the Girl Child
1991
SAARC Year of Shelter
1992
SAARC Year of Environment
1993
SAARC Year of Disabled Person
1994
SAARC Year of Youth
1995
SAARC Year of Poverty Alleviation
1996
SAARC Year of Literacy
1997
SAARC Year of Participatory Governance
1999
SAARC Year of Biodiversity
2002–2003
SAARC Year of Youth Contribution to Environment
2004
SAARC Year of Awareness against TB & HIV/AIDS
2006
SAARC Year of South Asian Tourism
2007
SAARC Year of Greenery South Asia
2016
SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage
📅 SAARC Decades:
1991–2000: SAARC Decade of the Girl Child
2001–2010: SAARC Decade of Children’s Rights
2006–2015: SAARC Decade of Poverty Alleviation
2010–2020: SAARC Decade of Intra-Regional Connectivity
🏆 SAARC Achievements:
SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) – 2004
SATIS (SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services) – 2010
SAARC University (India)
Food Bank (Pakistan)
Energy Reserve (Pakistan)
📊 Key Facts about SAARC Countries:
Afghanistan
3rd
4th
Kabul
Shora
Aug 19
Afghani
43
Sheep
-1:15
Bangladesh
4th
3rd
Dhaka
Jatiya Samsad
Mar 26
Taka
75
Bengal Tiger
+0:15
Bhutan
7th
7th
Thimphu
Tshogdu
Dec 17
Ngultrum
67
Takin
+0:15
India
1st
1st
New Delhi
Lok & Rajya Sabha
Jan 26
Rupee
77.7
Tiger
-0:15
Maldives
8th
8th
Male
Majlis
Jul 26
Rufiyaa
98
Yellowfin Tuna
-0:45
Nepal
5th
5th
Kathmandu
National Assembly & HoR
Sep 20
Rupee
76.2
Cow
–
Pakistan
2nd
2nd
Islamabad
National Assembly & Senate
Mar 23
Rupee
59
Markhor
-0:45
Sri Lanka
6th
6th
Colombo
National State Assembly
Feb 4
Rupee
92
Lion
-0:15
🇺🇳 United Nations (UN)
📜 Historical Timeline:
1941 Aug: Atlantic Charter (Roosevelt & Churchill)
1942 Jan: Declaration by United Nations (26 Allied nations)
1943 Dec: Tehran Conference Declaration
1945 Feb: Yalta Conference (Big Three)
1945 Apr–May: UN Conference in San Francisco
1945 Jun 26: UN Charter signed by 50 nations
1945 Oct 24: UN founded (UN Day)
1955 Dec 14: Nepal joins the UN
Last signatory: Poland
Total members: 193
Latest member: South Sudan (2011, July 14)
🏛️ Headquarters, Flag, Languages:
HQ: New York (Manhattan)
European Office: Geneva
Flag: Light blue with white olive branches & world map (approved Oct 1947)
Official Languages (6): Chinese, English, French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish
Working Languages (2): English, French
🎯 Aims & Objectives of UN:
Maintain international peace and security
Develop friendly relations among nations
Promote human rights, dignity, freedom
Solve international problems (social, economic, humanitarian)
Promote economic and social advancement
📖 UN Charter:
Chapters: 19
Articles: 111
Amendments: 5 times
First amendment: 1963 (Articles 23, 27, 61)
Security Council members: Increased from 11 to 15
💰 UN Budget:
Largest contributor: USA (22%)
Top 7 contributors: Big 7
Top 4 (2020): USA (22%), China (12.05%), Japan (8.56%), Germany (6.09%) → Total 49%
Nepal’s contribution: 0.006%
🇳🇵 United Nations and Nepal:
Joined UN: December 14, 1955
UN Security Council non-permanent member: 1969–70 & 1988–89
UNESCO Executive Council: 1974 & 1987
UN Peacekeeping: Observer in Lebanon (1958), Troops since 1978 (UNIFIL)
Rank in troop contribution: 1st in the world (as of April 21, 2024)
First PM to address UNGA: B.P. Koirala
First Permanent Representative to UN: Rishikesh Shah (1956)
15th Permanent Representative: Lok Bahadur Thapa (Sept 1, 2023)
UN Human Rights Council member: 2018–2020, re-elected 2021–2023
🪑 Nepal’s Current Positions in UN Bodies:
The Second Committee (Economic & Financial) of UNGA
Chair
2020–21
Human Rights Council
Member
2021–24
The Sixth Committee (Legal) of UNGA
Vice-Chair
2020–21
CEDAW Committee
Member
2021–24
UN Women
Member
2019–21
Commission on Science & Technology
Member
2019–22
Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Member
2020–23
Commission on Population & Development
Member
2018–22
UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC)
Member
2024–2026
🏛️ UN General Assembly (UNGA):
All members participate
Discusses peace, development, human rights, atomic energy, etc.
Elects President & Vice-President annually
Approves new members (on Security Council recommendation)
Elects ICJ judges, non-permanent Security Council members, ECOSOC members
Passes UN budget
🛡️ UN Security Council (UNSC):
15 members: 5 permanent (P5) + 10 non-permanent
Permanent members: USA, UK, Russia, France, China
Veto power: P5 can veto any substantive resolution
First veto: USSR (1946)
Most vetoes: Russia (USSR included)
Least vetoes: France
Veto Use (since 1991):
Russia (USSR)
32
120
USA
18
69
China
16
3
UK
0
32
France
0
18
Non-permanent member distribution:
5 from Asia & Africa
2 from Latin America
2 from Western Europe & Others
1 from Eastern Europe
2024–2025 Non-permanent Members: Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia
💼 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
Coordinates economic and social activities of UN
54 members
Elected by UNGA for 3-year terms
🏆 Nobel Peace Prize & UN:
ILO: First specialized agency of UN (1946)
ICRC: Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 3 times
UNHCR: Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2 times (highest for a UN agency)
📅 UN Decades:
1985–1994
UN Decade of Transportation & Communication for Asia-Pacific
1997–2006
UN Decade of Poverty Alleviation
2001–2010
Second International Decade to Eliminate Colonization
2001–2010
International Decade of World Children for Peace, Non-Violence & Culture
2003–2012
UN Decade for Literacy (Education)
2005–2014
Second International Indigenous Decade
2005–2014
UN Sustainable Development Decade for Education
2005–2015
International Action Decade of "Water for Life"
2006–2016
UN Decade of Sustainable Development
2006–2016
UN Decade of Rehabilitation for Affected Areas
2008–2017
Second UN Decade of Poverty Education
2010–2020
International Decade of Deserts & Decade against Desertification
2011–2020
UN Decade of Biodiversity; UN Decade of Action for Safe Roads
2014–2024
UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All
2015–2024
International Decade for People of African Descent
2016–2025
UN Decade of Action on Nutrition
2018–2028
International Decade of Action for "Water for Sustainable Development"
2019–2028
UN Decade of Family Farming
2021–2030
International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
2021–2030
International Decade of Ecosystem Restoration
2021–2030
UN Decade of Healthy Ageing
2021–2030
Second Decade of Actions for Road Safety
2022–2032
International Decade of Indigenous Languages
2024–2033
International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development
📅 International Years (Recent):
2023
International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace; International Year of Millets
2024
International Year of Camelids
2025
International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation; International Year of Peace and Trust
2026
International Year of the Woman Farmer; International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development; International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
2027
International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism
👨💼 UN Secretaries-General:
1946–1952
Trygve Lie
Norway
1953–1961
Dag Hammarskjöld
Sweden (died in plane crash, Sep 18, 1961)
1961–1971
U Thant
Burma (Myanmar)
1972–1981
Kurt Waldheim
Austria
1982–1991
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
Peru
1992–1996
Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Egypt
1997–2006
Kofi Annan
Ghana
2007–2016
Ban Ki-moon
South Korea
2017–Present
António Guterres
Portugal
First SG to visit Nepal: U Thant (1967) António Guterres: 6th SG to visit Nepal
🧠 Miscellaneous UN Facts:
First withdrawal attempt: Indonesia (1965), returned 1966
First expulsion: Taiwan (1971)
Package deal (1955): 16 new members admitted, including Nepal
First specialized agency: ILO (1946)
Blue Helmets: UN Peacekeeping forces
UNDP: Established Nov 22, 1965; publishes HDI since 1990
Quiet Revolution: Reform proposal by Kofi Annan (1997)
Blueprint Agenda: Development & peace concept by Boutros-Ghali
A Dignity of Life for All: Report by Ban Ki-moon
🌊 BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)
Established: June 6, 1997 (Bangkok Declaration)
7 Member States: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Originally BIST-EC: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Renamed BIMST-EC: After Myanmar joined (Dec 22, 1997)
Renamed BIMSTEC: After Nepal & Bhutan joined (Feb 2004)
Nepal observer status: Dec 19, 1998
Permanent Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh (Sep 13, 2014)
🏆 BIMSTEC Summits:
1st
Bangkok, Thailand
Sher Bahadur Deuba
Thailand
Jul 31–Aug 1, 2004
2nd
New Delhi, India
Puspa Kamal Dahal
India
Nov 13, 2008
3rd
Naypyidaw, Myanmar
Sushil Koirala
Myanmar
Mar 3–4, 2014
4th
Kathmandu, Nepal
K.P. Sharma Oli
Nepal
Aug 30–31, 2018
5th
Colombo, Sri Lanka (virtual)
Sher Bahadur Deuba
Sri Lanka
Mar 30, 2022
6th
Thailand (scheduled)
—
Thailand
2024
4th Summit Theme: "Towards a Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region" 5th Summit Theme: "Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies and Healthy People"
🎯 BIMSTEC Priority Sectors (Originally 6, now 14):
Original 6 (1998):
Trade & Investment
Transport & Communication
Energy
Tourism
Technology
Fisheries
Added later (total 13 by 2005): 7. Agriculture 8. Public Health 9. Poverty Alleviation 10. Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime 11. Environment & Disaster Management 12. People-to-People Contact 13. Cultural Cooperation
14th Sector added (2008): 14. Climate Change
🔄 Restructured Sectors (2022 – 7 Sectors & Sub-sectors):
Bangladesh
Trade, Investment & Development
Blue Economy
Sri Lanka
Science, Technology & Innovation
Technology, Health, HRD
Myanmar
Agriculture & Food Security
Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock
India
Security
Terrorism & Transnational Crime, Disaster Management, Energy
Thailand
Connectivity
—
Bhutan
Environment & Climate Change
Mountain Economy
Nepal
People-to-People Contact
Culture, Tourism, Poverty Alleviation, People-to-People Contact
Note:
Blue Economy added under Trade (2023)
Mountain Economy added under Environment (2023)
Poverty Alleviation added under People-to-People Contact (2023)