A high-level all-party meeting convened by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane at Singha Durbar underscored growing domestic concerns regarding Nepal’s shifting diplomatic posturing and foreign policy execution.
The dialogue was initiated by Lamichhane on Monday to brief political leaders on his recent visit to India and to gather constructive feedback regarding the current administration's trajectory.
Emerging from the discussion, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden noted that while the collaborative meeting was a positive step, political consultations should ideally happen before significant foreign visits rather than after them.
The opposition leaders expressed profound anxiety over maintaining the separation of powers, warning that an active erosion of democratic checks and balances is becoming visible despite the opposition's numerical weakness in parliament.
Central to the discussion were critical diplomatic missteps, including Prime Minister Balen Shah's controversial statement in the House of Representatives regarding border dynamics, which leaders labeled as highly immature.
Further alarm was raised regarding Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s remarks during his official trip to India about not carrying past burdens, which leaders feared could weaken Nepal's constitutional consensus on the Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani territories.
Ultimately, the political leadership counseled Lamichhane to tactfully leverage the diplomatic hospitality he received in India to benefit the collective national interest rather than individual party agendas.
