Intro - NEPAL FIRST

Nepal is situated in a crucial geo-strategic location between two rising powers of the 21 st century, China and India. Being a small state sandwiched between two big, powerful and competing states, Nepal’s foreign policy has been guided by the principles of Panchsheel, non-alignment, UN Charter, international law and norms of world peace. Due to its strategic position, Nepal has attracted interests not only from its powerful neighbors but also from major powers around the world. Therefore, it is vital for Nepal to adopt a balanced foreign policy aided by deft diplomacy for safeguarding its national interests.

Nepal Forum for International Relations Studies (NEPAL FIRST) is a Kathmandu-based independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that aims to deliberate on issues pertaining to Nepal’s international relations. NEPAL FIRST aims to come up with analytical articles, research work, discussions, seminars, interviews, podcast series and policy advice on matters related to Nepal’s foreign policy and diplomacy.

Some of the major objectives of NEPAL FIRST are as follows:

To conduct interactions, seminars and workshops on topics concerning Nepal’s international relations to ensure public participation in shaping Nepal’s foreign policy
To identify pertinent thematic issues that are of importance to Nepal’s international relations and foreign policy and conduct study/research accordingly
To initiate an online dialogue platform on Nepal’s foreign policy and diplomacy that will publish articles/ analytical briefs, interviews, discussions, podcasts of experts in the field of international relations and diplomacy
To conduct the “Diplomatic Memory” initiative by taking written/audio/visual interviews of past diplomats, politicians and policy makers who have contributed in Nepal’s diplomatic field so as to conserve Nepal’s diplomatic history for posterity
To provide opportunity for young writers, students and aspiring IR journalists to express their views on international relations for enhancing their analytical and writing skills
To conduct discussions and write analysis on important events that have taken place in international politics
To collaborate with national and international think-tanks, institutions, universities and embassies that work in the realm of foreign policy and diplomacy for knowledge production and sharing
To advocate for strengthening of Nepal’s relations with its neighbors and development partners with a focus on multilateralism
To recommend policy advice to the government on Nepal’s foreign policy