Nepal's foreign relations are experiencing critical operational delays as 21 out of 31 diplomatic missions worldwide remain without ambassadors. Five months after taking office with a comfortable supermajority, the administration has yet to conclude the appointment process, forcing several embassies to rely on temporary leadership.
Stalled Selection Mechanism
While an open application process was launched to select envoys for 13 countries based on merit, official decisions remain unresolved. Furthermore, decisions regarding ambassadorial appointments for seven additional bilateral missions remain caught in administrative ambiguity.
Widespread Embassies Vacant
The vacancies span major global partners, including India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and several European nations. Among the 21 unstaffed missions, 11 have lacked ambassadors since last November following recalls by the interim government, while six more became vacant in April under Prime Minister Balendra Shah's administration.
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Restructuring and Recalls
The government has also initiated the closure of three embassies in South Africa, Denmark, and Brazil, as well as consulates in Chengdu and San Francisco. Meanwhile, six senior joint-secretary rank career diplomats have returned to Kathmandu after concluding their assignments, awaiting their next duties.
Implications for Foreign Policy
Foreign policy analysts warn that the absence of envoys severely undermines Nepal's bilateral diplomatic representation and international presence. With recommendations still pending for 15 countries, the leadership crisis across diplomatic channels threatens to drag on.
