After the swearing-in ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, Nepal Aaja has decoded not just the composition of the interim cabinet but the very political DNA of the new government. In biology, DNA is the blueprint of life—a double-helix structure made of two long strands that determine a being’s traits, body, and future. Politics, too, has its DNA. In governance, one strand encodes the values that strengthen society, while the other stores risks that can weaken the nation. Nepal Aaja’s DNA analysis reveals that Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s cabinet is still fresh and filled with hope, but external influence—particularly China’s interventions—remains a dangerous strand embedded within.

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The Two Strands: Values and Risks

First Strand: Foundational Values for Society and Politics

1. Human Rights – Respect for dignity, equality, and freedom of all citizens; protection against torture, arbitrary detention, and ethnic or gender discrimination.

2. Democracy and Rule of Law – Free and fair elections; separation of powers; checks and balances; equality before the law.

3. Freedom of Expression and Press – Independent media and open speech; safeguards against censorship and suppression of journalists.

4. Freedom of Religion and Belief – Right to choose or not choose any religion; protection of minorities.

5. Free Market and Economic Liberalism – Entrepreneurship, private investment, open trade; transparency and fair competition.

6. Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity – Respect for borders, national independence, and self-determination against foreign interference.

7. Civil Society and Participation – Role of NGOs, civic movements; inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in decision-making.

8. Non-Communist Ideology – Upholding liberal-democratic values over authoritarian or one-party systems.

Second Strand: Risks that Nepal Must Resist

1. Wolf Warrior Diplomacy – Aggressive interference by foreign powers (notably China) in Nepal’s internal politics.

2. Debt-Trap Diplomacy – Large, unsustainable loans that undermine sovereignty.

3. Sharp Power – Hidden influence through media, universities, religious or cultural fronts.

4. Coercive Diplomacy – Forcing Nepal to endorse “One China Policy” or silence Tibetan voices.

5. Realpolitik – Short-term gains at the cost of moral principles and long-term national interest.

6. Neo-Imperialism – Long-term control through massive infrastructure or investment projects.

7. Great Power Competition – Nepal turned into a playground between the U.S. and China.

8. BRI Risks – Projects pushed without transparency or viability checks, adding to debt burdens.

9. Salami Slicing Strategy – Gradual encroachment through small but persistent steps, threatening borders and sovereignty.

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The New Cabinet and Its Shared DNA

Prime Minister Sushila Karki
The former Chief Justice, Nepal’s first female in that position, is widely regarded as a symbol of integrity and rule of law. Her appointment signals a cabinet DNA oriented toward human rights and democratic accountability.

Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal
A former finance secretary, Khanal is known for pushing transparency in tax systems and good governance. He has pledged fiscal discipline, promising, “Revenue transparency and a friendlier environment for private enterprise will be my priority.”

Energy, Infrastructure, and Urban Development Minister Kulman Ghising
The man who ended Nepal’s chronic power cuts now holds an even greater portfolio—energy, transport, and urban infrastructure. Citizens see him as a leader with executional capacity and expect another transformative performance.

Law and Home Affairs Minister Om Prakash Aryal
A lawyer and anti-corruption activist, Aryal made his name by challenging the appointment of Lokman Singh Karki as chief of the anti-graft body. His entry into government has raised public expectations for a stricter rule of law and curbs on impunity.

Together, these ministers share the same DNA: a collective commitment to democracy, human rights, and transparency.

The Previous Government’s Infections

Nepal Aaja recalls how the former government under K.P. Sharma Oli became infected with external controversies. Signing on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under the guise of “development” opened a debt trap. Later, Beijing’s statement claiming Nepal supported China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) dragged Nepal into a foreign security agenda, undermining sovereignty. Even under Congress leadership, support for BRI deepened dependency on China. As public anger rose, chants of “Nepal has been sold” echoed in the streets. Oli’s allies insisted Nepal had the sovereign right to independent foreign policy, but trust collapsed. This infection ultimately made Oli’s government too weak to survive.

The Danger of Chinese Influence

There is little doubt that China seeks to turn Nepal into its geopolitical playground. Aggressive ambassadorial statements, covert media campaigns, university partnerships, and religious influence-building all exemplify sharp power. Projects like BRI may come dressed as infrastructure but often serve as financial traps, risking Nepal’s independence. Even more alarming is China’s salami slicing strategy—incremental steps at the border and political pressure at the local level that, if unchecked, could cost Nepal land and rights.

Signs of Hope for Society

Yet hope remains alive with this new government. If Khanal restores fiscal discipline, Ghising delivers credible reforms in energy and transport, Aryal breaks the culture of impunity, and Karki ensures justice and accountability, Nepal’s DNA will strengthen. Civil society activists told Nepal Aaja, “We need not just a good list of ministers but implementation that proves their DNA is real.” A university student wrote on social media, “If the DNA remains correct, our future is safe; if the code changes, the nation fails.”

a Warning

Nepal Aaja’s decoding shows clearly: one strand carries values of human rights, democracy, transparency, and freedom; the other carries infections of debt, coercion, and neo-imperialism. The previous government empowered the wrong strand and collapsed. If this new government secures the first strand, Nepal could emerge stable and prosperous. But if external pressures or misguided choices rewrite its DNA, Nepal risks slipping toward failure.

For now, the message is clear—the nation has a new genetic code of governance. The question is whether this DNA can be preserved long enough to heal Nepal, or whether infection will return to sicken the state once more.