In a coordinated push ahead of the March 5 general elections, Nepal’s top political outfits—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Rashtriya Swatantra Party—released their manifestos Thursday, uniting on the theme of fostering friendly and equitable ties with India and China.
Veteran player Nepali Congress stuck to its guns, promising Nepal’s non-involvement in any military or security skirmishes or major power rivalries. Emphasizing equality-based friendships, NC declared that ties with neighbors would prioritize mutual respect, shared gains, and economic collaboration, always with national interests front and center.
CPN-UML doubled down on its time-tested doctrine: ‘Amity with everyone, hostility toward none.’ The communists aim to bolster harmonious relations with neighbors and deepen global outreach, ensuring no steps undermine neighboring interests.
Stealing the show was RSP, the upstart party positioning former Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah for premiership. Its manifesto pitches a proactive foreign policy shift, reimagining Nepal as an ‘active bridge’ rather than a passive buffer. This involves trilateral economic ties and enhanced regional links with key neighbors.
RSP recognizes the geopolitical flux and the strategic stakes India and China hold in Nepal. It calls for agile diplomacy to leverage these dynamics for Nepal’s gain. Drawing from India’s successes in digital infra, premium projects, formal economy growth, and sectoral synergies, Nepal can adapt proven strategies.
China’s playbook—affordable funding for top-tier infrastructure, government-led growth, and provincial rivalries—offers additional blueprints. Foreign policy is set to dominate campaign trails, with parties vying to convince voters of their vision for balanced regional engagement.
As manifestos roll out, a common thread of neighborly goodwill prevails, yet RSP’s bold innovations contrast with the established prudence of NC and UML. The elections will test which approach resonates most with Nepal’s electorate navigating a complex neighborhood.