Shradha Arjyal Joshi
Democracy becomes a winner when citizens are involved in decision making to those services that they rely on. Democratic institutions are established to convey the will of people for good governance. Institutions are trusted not by the individuals they produce but by the principles under which they are selected. Nepal’s journey to ambassadorial appointment has long been debatable in convincing the public trust on meritocracy rather than political nexus to decide who represents the country abroad. The ministry of foreign affair’s decision to introduce open competition for selecting ambassadors marks an attempt in addressing institutional constraints. However, it is yet to witness on the credibility of its implementation.
Foreign policy remains one of the most subtle matters for any state. The basis of foreign policy lies in national interest. Our engagement with our neighbors and to rest of the world holds greater implications to our political and economic interest vis a vis security and global standing. For Nepal, this is even more sensitive. Situated between two Asian giants India and China-Nepal’s strategic location has always been walking on thin ice. Henceforth this observant geopolitical landscape requires competent and credible diplomatic personnel.
Ambassadors are key in fulfillment of this effort, as the pinnacle of diplomatic representatives of a country. Their roles are not confined within maintaining bilateral and multilateral relations but equally advancing in Nepal’s strategic, political and economic interest. Controversy surfaces time and again over ambassadorial appointments. Public debates were raised over merits and political patronage, questioning on institutional transparency and credibility. Ambassadorships had been viewed as party and political rewards, business interests limiting to only the locals. A position which demands to advance country’s priorities remained entitled to political strife rather than appointments based on competence.
A time like this when Nepal is aspiring some effective reforms, the ambassadorial selection processes this year has taken a departure from the prior malaise. The government led by Balendra Shah announced application for the ambassadors through open competition earlier this year in May. This was definitely new to the public and garnered quick attention. It was widely welcomed from all quarters and received appreciation from public to institutionalize meritocracy into a country’s state system. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been flabbergasted in receiving huge number of applications from qualified individuals. The mechanism in selection of deserving candidate now raises important aspect upon the transparency of the state. Earlier it was very rare that the public could hear ambassadors working genuinely to strengthen Nepal’s diplomacy with the country’s rights and interest at the core.
Diplomacy as a tool of implementing foreign policy remains as relevant and important today despite the rising changes in the global political and even social systems. Ambassadors to this day are no longer seen as a coterie of the public service. Rather, they can be viewed as a unitary body of public servants participating in various capacities and roles in balancing of their respective country’s Foreign Policy at both the global and regional level. Career ambassadors are individuals who are career members of the Foreign Civil Service. For definitive purposes the term politically, appointed ambassador can be defined as, individuals who have political linkage or previously served in other government positions outside the Foreign Service or within the private sector. As a matter of fact, Nepal’s appointment for ambassadors has been largely political whereby merits and experience have remained secondary.
Modern diplomacy has enabled the path for wider connection and trade on a global scale. This wider connection brings greater responsibility for ambassadors in establishing and maintaining progressive diplomatic relations between countries. The effective ambassador should deliver diplomatic leadership, negotiation skills enough in establishing cooperation, promoting trade and foreign policy. Equally today’s increasingly competitive and volatile international environment have taken a different route beside traditional diplomatic schemes. Economic and digital diplomacy, technological and AI adaptability, climate change negotiations are now important similar as conventional matter of a state. Representing a state in dealing all these affairs demands specialized knowledge and expertise, negotiation skills and deeper understanding of today’s dynamic world.
Comparative studies have shown that career diplomats bring in higher competencies and experiences whilst political appointees possess fewer diplomatic qualifications. The debate on political appointee vs career ambassador’s effectiveness has remained a global discussion. Diplomacy in Nepal has a lot of challenges. Decades of political turmoil and accusations domestically have categorized the nation having unfair appointments of ambassadors have force Nepal to proactively work toward cultivating a more positive reputation. Ambassadorial appointments, mostly after the restoration of democracy in 1990, have not been free from controversy. Appointing ambassadors with a lack of knowledge in the field of international relation and diplomacy have raised questions time and again in shedding reputation and effectiveness of Nepalese foreign service. A politicization of ambassadorships could undermine the esprit de corps and deter capable individuals from pursuing a career as an ambassador, which is the pinnacle of diplomatic career.
The diplomatic dealings are getting complex for Nepal. Rising geopolitical competition in Asia requires our balanced approach to our immediate neighbors with stronger strategic judgement. State representative, an ambassador bears greater deal of responsibility in changing scenario for Nepal’s national interest. Diplomacy can be made more effective and productive when it is entrusted to individuals who possess a sound understanding of the country’s economic, social, and political realities, as well as the evolving dynamics of the international system. Henceforth diplomatic appointment is now a matter of investing to national interest on global scale.
The initiation towards open and competitive selection definitely shows departure from traditional diplomatic process. A stronger integration of this reform in a sustained manner could mark as a beginning of Nepal’s diplomatic dealing on the ground of professionalism over patronage.
( Author Arjyal is Researcher and Development Professional focusing on Political Economy and Diplomacy)
Adopted from The Rising Nepal Daily- Editor
