As Nepal prepares to celebrate National Unity Day, former King Gyanendra Shah delivered a stark warning to the political class, charging them with a lopsided foreign policy that’s jeopardizing the country’s future. In his address on the 304th anniversary of Prithvi Narayan Shah’s birth, the ex-ruler painted a picture of a leadership blind to shifting global dynamics.
This shortsightedness, he argued, risks alienating key allies and undermining Nepal’s strategic autonomy. Gyanendra invoked his ancestor’s wisdom, emphasizing its timeliness amid current diplomatic misadventures, though he stopped short of detailing specific grievances.
Advocating for self-reliance through a ‘shield of peace,’ he cautioned against dependency on foreign security umbrellas. Turning to domestic woes, the former monarch decried the brain drain and capital flight plaguing Nepal, with young talents and investors seeking opportunities abroad.
Such outflows signal a looming catastrophe, he said, evoking the youth-led Gen-Z uprising that ended Oli’s coalition government and ushered in Sushila Karki’s tenure. Those protests claimed 77 lives and inflicted massive economic losses, underscoring the perils of dismissing youthful frustrations.
‘Neglecting the emotions, aspirations, and needs of the younger generation inevitably sparks discontent, potentially erupting into revolt,’ Gyanendra asserted. Reflecting on his 2006 departure from Narayanhiti Palace, he noted how promises of peace and prosperity have rung hollow amid ongoing turmoil.
From building a nation to merely preserving its existence—the evolution of Nepal’s challenges demands immediate action, he concluded.
