Prof. Khanal Played a Pivotal Role in Shaping the Modern Foreign Policy of Nepal

Acting Foreign Secretary Krishna Prasad Dhakal presenting the welcome remarks at the Fourth Edition of Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series on June 12 in Kathmandu. Photo: MoFA Nepal

It is my honour and privilege to welcome you all to the fourth edition of Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series. This is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, launched in 2022 to honour and celebrate the life and legacy of a revered statesman and a major architect of our foreign policy.

On behalf of the Ministry and on my own, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to all of you for graciously accepting our invitation and being with us this evening.
This Lecture Series was instituted as a tribute to the remarkable contributions of the late Professor Yadu Nath Khanal. His vision, intellect and diplomatic acumen played a pivotal role in shaping the modern foreign policy of Nepal. He is an inspiration for all of us, and I believe, he will continue to inspire generations of diplomats and policy makers.

The objective of this initiative is not only to reflect on our rich diplomatic history, but also to look ahead- to cultivate fresh thinking, anticipate new trends, support evidence-based policy dialogue, and deepen our understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie before us in the conduct of our foreign policy.

Each year, the Lecture Series brings together seasoned diplomats, academics, researchers, and policy analysts to share their insights.

This is also a continuation of our efforts to make the Ministry a learning organization and foster a knowledge-based foreign policy.

Our civilization has a revered tradition of creation and dissemination of knowledge; and its transfer is also similarly glorified.

This year, we have selected Nepal-China relations as the theme, which is both timely and significant, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China.

Today’s lectures aim to deepen our understanding of this important bilateral partnership and to place it within the broader context of regional dynamics and global transformations.

Let me briefly recall the exceptional life and extraordinary contributions of Professor Yadu Nath Khanal.
A scholar of Sanskrit, Science, and English Literature, Professor Khanal served the nation with distinction in multiple roles – as an academic, a civil servant, and a statesman. His diplomatic journey began in 1955 as part of Nepal’s delegation to the historic Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung, Indonesia.

He served twice as Foreign Secretary, in 1961 and 1967, and represented Nepal as the Ambassador to India and to the United States.

Notably, he also served as Nepal’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China from 1978 to 1982. During the period, he played a crucial role in strengthening mutual understanding, goodwill and cooperation between our two nations.

It is also worth mentioning that Professor Khanal wrote extensively on Nepal-China friendship, describing the relationship as one “marked with trust, confidence, and cordiality.”

Even in his later years, his active engagement continued, including his participation as a minister-ranked delegate at the 10th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Jakarta in 1992.

He passed away in 2004, leaving behind a profound legacy of thought and writing that continues to inform, inspire and illuminate Nepal’s foreign policy pathways.

Professor Khanal’s clarity of purpose, principled pragmatism and deep understanding of Nepal’s geopolitical context offer a timeless blueprint for how a country like ours can advance and safeguard its national interests, while upholding dignity and maintaining strategic balance in international affairs.
He left an enduring message that Nepal must uphold consistency, credibility, and coherence in the conduct of its foreign policy, which holds timeless significance.

It is my pleasure to introduce our keynote speakers for this evening who will deliver lectures on the theme of “Nepal-China Relations in the Context of South Asia: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead.”

Our first keynote speaker is Professor Jaya Raj Acharya, a distinguished scholar, author and diplomat who served as Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1991 to 1994. During his tenure, he also chaired the UN’s Anti-Apartheid Committee, playing a significant role in global efforts against racial injustice.

A Fulbright Scholar, Professor Acharya earned his PhD from Georgetown University and was later a fellow at Harvard University. He also served as a professor at Tribhuvan University for many years.

He has published extensively on Nepal’s foreign policy and other areas of national interest and made significant contributions to academic and policy circles alike.

Our second keynote speaker is Dr. Yang Chenxi, Director of the Department of International and Strategic Studies at the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) – a premier think tank affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Dr. Yang holds a PhD in International Politics from Jilin University. Since joining the CIIS in 2013, he has held several key positions, including at the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre and the Policy Planning Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His research spans Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China’s foreign policy, international strategic affairs and regional diplomacy, with a particular focus on China’s engagement with neighbouring countries.

As a senior research fellow, Dr. Yang has produced an impressive body of scholarly work on China’s external relations, including on China – United States relations, arms control, and shifting power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.

His presence here not only reinforces the spirit of academic exchange but also reaffirms the value of open dialogue between friends and neighbours.

We are deeply honoured to host both of our speakers this evening and sincerely appreciate their kind acceptance of our invitation to deliver lectures, despite their demanding schedule.

I am confident that their insights will offer us a richer understanding of the multi-faceted dimensions of Nepal-China relations encompassing historical ties, cultural affinity, economic cooperation, and people-to-people linkages. We hope that the deliberations tonight will stimulate our thoughtful reflections on how we may further strengthen this important partnership in the days ahead.

Let me also mention, for the sake of clarity, that the views and opinions expressed during these lectures are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

Following the lectures, both Professor Acharya and Dr. Yang have kindly agreed to respond to a few questions from the audience, for which we are most grateful.

With these words, I once again warmly welcome all our distinguished guests to this year’s Lecture Series and wish you a meaningful and engaging evening ahead.

(The article is the welcome remarks of an edited version of Acting Foreign Secretary Krishna Prasad Dhakal during the Fourth Edition of Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series on 12 in Kathmandu.)