Yagya Bahadur Hamal’s ‘Nepal’s Foreign Policy and Foreign Relations’ is a timely contribution to the study of Nepal’s diplomacy, international engagement, and strategic evolution. The book comes at a time when geopolitical tensions are high and Nepal is grappling to maintain a balanced relationship among the major powers. The book provides some guidelines for the political parties, practitioners and policymakers on navigating the complex geopolitical environment.
A former ambassador who spent more than three decades in Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hamal reflects both scholarly commitment and practical experience in his book. At a time when Nepal’s geopolitical position has become increasingly sensitive amid changing regional and global dynamics, Hamal’s work offers readers an extensive historical and analytical overview of Nepal’s foreign policy from ancient times to the contemporary republican era.
One of the most commendable aspects of the book is the author’s effort to produce an objective and balanced account of Nepal’s external relations. In Nepal, very few retired diplomats devote themselves to rigorous academic writing after leaving public office. Hamal therefore deserves appreciation not only for documenting Nepal’s diplomatic history but also for contributing to the intellectual discourse on foreign policy. His inclination toward research and writing was visible during his public service career, and this volume demonstrates his long-standing engagement with diplomacy and international affairs. Over the past few years, Nepal’s foreign policy debate has swayed those who depend on the foreign fund who have published reports and books. To overcome such tendencies, we need more books written by Nepali diplomats who put Nepali perspective at the center.
The book is divided into six parts and nineteen chapters, covering a broad range of themes including the evolution of Nepal’s foreign policy, bilateral relations, non-alignment, neutrality, national security, economic diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and Nepal’s responses to international issues. The scope is remarkably wide, making the book valuable for students, scholars, diplomats, journalists, and general readers interested in understanding Nepal’s place in the world.
Hamal begins by tracing Nepal’s foreign relations from ancient times to 879 CE. He argues that Nepal’s early foreign policy was naturally limited because of the small number of neighboring political entities and the low degree of international interaction. Nevertheless, these early exchanges laid the foundation for Nepal’s later diplomatic traditions. By discussing the formative period of foreign relations, the author successfully situates Nepal’s diplomacy within a long historical continuum rather than treating it as merely a modern phenomenon.
The discussion becomes particularly engaging when the book moves into the modern era and the unification campaign led by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Hamal correctly identifies national unification as a watershed moment in Nepal’s foreign policy history. According to the author, it was during this period that Nepal began to formulate a more robust and strategic approach toward external relations. The emphasis on protecting sovereignty, preventing external interference, and maintaining balance between powerful neighbors remains highly relevant even today. Hamal effectively demonstrates how many of Nepal’s contemporary diplomatic principles have historical roots in this period.
The sections dealing with the Rana era provide another important contribution. Hamal argues that Nepal’s foreign policy assumed a largely unidimensional character after the Rana rulers consolidated power and aligned themselves closely with British India. The author critically analyzes the isolationist tendencies of the Rana regime while also acknowledging certain diplomatic achievements such as territorial gains and the international recognition of Nepal’s sovereign status. Particularly interesting is his discussion of how foreign influence contributed to domestic political change. By connecting internal political developments with external relations, the book highlights the inseparable relationship between domestic politics and foreign policy.
The chapters on the democratic era and the Panchayat system are equally insightful. Hamal explains how Nepal gradually expanded its outreach to the wider world after the fall of the Rana regime. During this period, Nepal sought to assert an independent identity in international affairs while balancing relations with India, China, and other global powers. The Panchayat era receives detailed treatment, especially regarding Nepal’s non-aligned stance and the proposal of Nepal as a “Zone of Peace.” The author presents these initiatives as attempts to preserve Nepal’s sovereignty and distinct international identity in a challenging geopolitical environment.
One of the strongest features of the book is its treatment of non-alignment and neutrality. Nepal’s foreign policy has long been guided by the principle of non-alignment, and Hamal provides a detailed explanation of its historical evolution and practical implications. The discussion extends beyond theoretical interpretation and examines Nepal’s actual participation in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The author also explores the contradictions and challenges involved in maintaining neutrality while dealing with regional and global pressures. This section is particularly useful for readers seeking a deeper understanding of Nepal’s diplomatic balancing strategy.
The book also devotes significant attention to economic diplomacy and national security. Hamal discusses issues such as foreign trade, tourism, foreign aid, transit rights, foreign investment, and Nepal’s engagement with the World Trade Organization (WTO). These chapters are important because they demonstrate that foreign policy is not confined to political and strategic issues alone; economic interests increasingly shape Nepal’s international relations. The analysis of transit infrastructure and trade challenges is especially relevant for a landlocked country like Nepal.
Similarly, the author’s discussion of multilateral relations broadens the scope of the book. Nepal’s involvement in the United Nations, SAARC, BIMSTEC, the Group of 77, and South-South cooperation is presented in a systematic manner. Hamal highlights Nepal’s active role in international forums and explains how multilateral diplomacy has provided smaller states like Nepal with opportunities to amplify their voices in global affairs. His examination of SAARC and BIMSTEC is particularly relevant in the context of shifting regional cooperation in South Asia and the Bay of Bengal region.
Another strength of the book is its accessibility. Despite dealing with complex diplomatic and historical issues, the writing remains clear and understandable. Hamal avoids excessive theoretical jargon and instead focuses on practical explanations supported by historical examples. This makes the book approachable for a wider readership beyond academia. Readers unfamiliar with foreign policy studies can still follow the arguments and gain substantial knowledge about Nepal’s diplomatic evolution.
However, the book is not without limitations. At times, the narrative becomes repetitive, particularly when discussing recurring themes such as sovereignty, non-alignment, and external interference. Some arguments presented in earlier chapters reappear later without significant new interpretation. Additionally, there are occasional date inaccuracies and minor factual inconsistencies that could have been corrected through more careful editing. While these errors do not seriously undermine the book’s overall contribution, they somewhat affect its scholarly precision.
Another limitation is that some contemporary issues could have been explored in greater depth. Nepal’s growing engagement with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, evolving Indo-Pacific debates, and the impact of emerging global power competition on Nepal’s diplomacy deserve more detailed treatment. Given the rapidly changing international environment, readers may expect a deeper analysis of how Nepal can navigate future geopolitical challenges.
Despite these shortcomings, Nepal’s Foreign Policy and Foreign Relations remains an important and valuable work. It successfully combines historical narrative, diplomatic analysis, and policy discussion into a single comprehensive volume. Hamal’s long experience in the foreign service lends credibility and depth to his observations, while his academic approach ensures that the book goes beyond mere memoir or personal reflection.
Ultimately, this book serves as a significant reference for anyone interested in Nepal’s foreign policy, diplomatic history, and international relations. It provides readers with a broad understanding of how Nepal has interacted with the outside world across different political periods and changing global contexts. More importantly, it encourages reflection on the future direction of Nepal’s diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world. Though there are some repetitions and minor factual errors, the overall contribution of the book is substantial. Yagya Bahadur Hamal deserves recognition for producing a comprehensive and insightful account of Nepal’s foreign relations that will likely remain a useful resource for years to come.
