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📗 Nayab Subba syllabus: Paper I, General Knowledge, Units 1.10.1 and 1.10.3 · Open the full Nayab Subba course
Nepal lies between two large neighbours, India and China, and keeps friendly relations with all countries. The UN, SAARC and BIMSTEC are covered in International Organisations; this note covers bilateral relations, ASEAN and the EU.
1. Principles of Nepal’s foreign policy
- Article 51(m) of the Constitution: foreign policy is based on the UN Charter, non-alignment, Panchsheel, international law and the values of world peace.
- Panchsheel (five principles of peaceful coexistence): mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful coexistence.
- Nepal is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM, 1961) and joined the UN on 14 December 1955.
- Aim: protect sovereignty and national interest, and seek economic development through cooperation.
2. Relations with major countries
| Country | Diplomatic relations | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1816 (first country) | Treaty of Sugauli (1816); 1923 Treaty of Friendship recognised Nepal’s independence; Gurkha recruitment under the 1947 tripartite agreement (Nepal–India–UK) |
| USA | 25 April 1947 | Development aid (USAID), Peace Corps; MCC Compact (USD 500 million grant for electricity transmission and roads) ratified by Parliament in 2022 |
| India | 17 June 1947 | 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship; open border on the east, south and west; largest trade partner; transit through Indian ports; hydropower trade and cross-border transmission lines |
| China | 1 August 1955 | Boundary treaty (1961) settled the northern border; aid for roads and other projects; Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) MoU signed in 2017, framework agreed in 2024 |
| Japan | 1 September 1956 | One of the largest bilateral donors; Sindhuli Road (BP Highway), Kathmandu–Bhaktapur road and many schools and bridges; JICA |
- Issues with India: border disputes (Kalapani, Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, shown in Nepal’s new map of 2077 BS / 2020), trade deficit, open-border management.
- With China: trade imbalance, limited road links over the Himalaya; Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi are main trade points.
3. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
- Founded on 8 August 1967 by the Bangkok Declaration.
- Founding members (5): Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.
- Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Later members: Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia; Timor-Leste became the 11th member in 2025.
- Aims: economic growth, social progress, regional peace; ASEAN Free Trade Area, ASEAN Regional Forum.
- Nepal is not a member of ASEAN but takes part in some regional forums with ASEAN countries.
4. European Union (EU)
- Formed by the Maastricht Treaty (1992), in force from 1993; it grew out of earlier European communities of the 1950s.
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium (the European Parliament also meets in Strasbourg).
- Members: 27 countries after the United Kingdom left in 2020 (Brexit).
- Euro is the common currency of many (not all) members; the Schengen Area allows travel without border checks between most members.
- The EU is an important development partner and market for Nepali goods (carpets, pashmina) through trade preferences for least developed countries.
5. Key facts at a glance
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| UN membership | 14 December 1955 |
| SAARC | Founded 8 December 1985 in Dhaka; secretariat in Kathmandu |
| BIMSTEC | Founded 1997; Nepal joined in 2004 |
| Non-Aligned Movement | Nepal a founding member (Belgrade, 1961) |
| First diplomatic relations | With the United Kingdom (1816) |
| Guiding principles | Panchsheel, UN Charter, non-alignment (Article 51) |
6. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective questions ask the year Nepal joined the UN, the founding of SAARC and BIMSTEC and the location of the SAARC secretariat. Subjective questions ask about Nepal’s foreign policy and balanced relations with India and China.
📌 Key points to remember
- Foreign policy (Article 51): UN Charter, non-alignment, Panchsheel, international law, world peace.
- Diplomatic relations: UK 1816, USA 25 April 1947, India 17 June 1947, China 1 Aug 1955, Japan 1 Sept 1956.
- 1950 Nepal–India Treaty of Peace and Friendship; 1923 Nepal–UK treaty recognised independence.
- Nepal joined the UN on 14 December 1955; founding member of NAM.
- ASEAN: 8 Aug 1967, Bangkok Declaration, secretariat Jakarta, 11 members with Timor-Leste.
- EU: Maastricht Treaty 1992, headquarters Brussels, 27 members after Brexit (2020).
📝 Quiz
Test yourself: Nepal’s Foreign Relations
51 questions check what you read about Principles of Nepal’s foreign policy, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and European Union (EU). Each attempt picks 25 at random.
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