Editor’s Note

In the current multipolar world where geopolitical dynamics are ever-shifting, with allies and adversaries frequently changing collaborations, it is crucial for Nepal – a country that has always adhered to the non-alignment policy- to assert its soft power diplomacy. The most appropriate means to do so, as such, is the institutionalization of a multilateral forum like Sagarmatha Sambaad. Named after Sagarmatha, the Nepali name for the world’s highest peak Mount Everest, the title of the forum itself conveys a larger message to the world that Nepal – a Himalayan nation tucked at the heart of the Hindu Kush – is more than ready to be a contributor to significant global discourses. The dialogue is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, from May 16-18, 2025.

Sagarmatha Sambaad will be a key platform for Nepal to project its soft power on the global stage and to assert its diplomatic agency. The initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and the Government of Nepal, has been launched with the intent to constructively interact and engage with the world community on common goals. According to government authorities, the dialogue will initially commence every two years, with the first edition focusing on the agenda of climate change- a pressing issue demanding global attention at present.   

Nepal is among one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change, and despite its negligible contribution to global carbon emissions, it has for long been affected by climate related disasters. The unpredictable monsoon patterns, melting of Himalayan glaciers and frequently occurring natural disasters have posed serious threats to Nepal’s ecological balance, which is in turn related to socio-economic stability. 

However, climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement, have faced many setbacks because of political and governance-stability related issues across the world. It remains crucial for economies of all scales, particularly the ‘powerful’ states, to uphold their commitments to climate action and agreements. Nepal may have entered the multilateral diplomatic arena late with Sagarmatha Sambaad but now is the right time to effectively leverage this forum to extend its global reach. 

Its unique geopolitical positioning may have limited Nepal’s economic and military strategies to pursue hard power diplomacy similar to superpowers like Russia, the United States, China or even India. However, Nepal can strengthen its global presence and elevate diplomatic narratives through strategic soft power diplomacy by leveraging internal forums akin to Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, Qatar’s Doha Forum, India’s Raisina Dialogue, and the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. 

As Nepal embarks on this ambitious diplomatic journey, it becomes crucial to ensure the continuity of this forum and safeguard it from both- domestic political fluctuations and external influences. Nepal should, thus, actively engage with its immediate neighbors, regional organizations, and global and development partners to ensure the success and sustainability of the Sagarmatha Sambad initiative. The state must ensure that Sagarmatha Sambaad evolves into a credible, policy-oriented, meaningful and enduring global dialogue platform.

Jagdishor Panday

Editor

The Diplomat Nepal