The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its discontent for the US Embassy’s latest decision to launch a video series program for Nepali public.

The US Embassy to Nepal has announced its plans to launch a video series called ‘Guff Gaff with the Ambassador’ with an aim to interact with Nepali general public.

However, the Ministry says the Embassy had not taken any prior consent from the Ministry before announcing the program on Facebook.

In this regard, the Ministry said it will definitely seek Embassy’s explanation on this matter.

“Generally, ambassadors are not supposed to hold such events without prior approval of the host governments in existing diplomatic practices,” said Nepal Foreign Affairs Secretary Bairagi.

Social Media Debate

The Us Embassy has planned a weekly video series called ‘Rajdut Sanga Guff Gaff (chit chat with ambassador)’ to be published every Monday.

Through this, the Embassy aims to interact with all 4 million followers across its social media channels.

Ambassador Berry’s video post on this announcement has received wide attention from all sections of Nepali audience, who started commenting about the interaction program.

While some called it ‘undiplomatic’, some termed it as promotion of ‘public diplomacy’.

Even foreign affairs experts also expressed their concern about the Embassy’s program.

Former Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gopal Thapa said the US Ambassador’s announcement goes against the diplomatic norms prescribed by the Vienna Convention.

Another former Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rambhakta Thakur argued that the US Ambassador should be controlled from holding public interaction on social media.

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While one is on border security measures as part of the 3^rd India-Nepal Coordination meeting scheduled for August 08, 2018, the other meeting on August 09, 2018 is about reviewing the existing trade treaty between the two countries.

Border Security
A seven-member Nepali delegation led by the Inspector General of Nepal Armed Police Force Shailendra Khanal has already arrived in New Delhi to take part in this three-day meeting from August 8-10, 2018.

According to the Indian Home Ministry, the meeting will throw light on key issues pertaining to border security, such as exchange of information on crimes and criminals, regular mutual visits of officials, coordination on field level and training of armed personnel of both the countries.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meet, Khanal stressed on the need for enhancing security coordination through activities such as joint patrolling, frequent border-level meetings and combined training of armed forces.

Review of Trade & Transit Treaty
Meanwhile, officials of both nations are also gearing up for preparation meeting for the long-awaited review of the Nepal-India Trade and Transit Treaty on August 09, 2018.

A seven-member Nepali delegation led by the Nepal Industry Ministry Spokesperson Rabi Shankar Sainju is traveling to India as Nepal’s representation in this Joint Secretary level meeting.

As part of the meet, Nepali side will be highlighting issues such as handling of Nepali-bound cargo at Indian ports, usage of Indian seaports and assisting Indian businessmen in the production business, widening trade deficit between the two countries, among other issues pertaining to Indo-Nepal bilateral trade.

Port Operations: Nepal will be presenting a proposal pertaining to the transshipment modality for Nepal-bound cargo from India’s Visakhapatnam port.

“If the transshipment modality is implemented at the new port, it will also reduce the number of documents required to transport Nepal-bound consignments at the Indian port,” says Sanju.

The delegation will be pitching for the launch of an Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) for Nepal-bound containers, alike what Nepal did in case of Kolkata port four months ago.

“We will be requesting the Indian side to implement the modality on a trial basis for a month,” adds Sanju.

As part of the meeting, Nepali delegation is also planning to urge India to give them access to other Indian seaports such as Dhamra Port of Odisha and Mundra Port of Gujarat, among others.

Assisting Indian Businessmen: Nepali team is also keen on pitching for assistance to Indian investors in their investment process in the production sector. Officials feel that this would curtail the widening trade deficit between the two countries.

Provisions related to enhancing bilateral trade and finding solutions to rules of origin put forth by the Indian Government are among other key issues to be discussed under the review of the Trade and Transit Treaty over the next three months.

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Nepali Embassy Spokesperson Jeevan Prakash Shrestha revealed the Embassy’s plans to buy a new residence in a recent statement.

“The Government of Nepal has asked the Embassy to buy a new residence as the present residence doesn’t have space for parties and meetings,” says Shrestha.

As the reports say, the proposed residential property (nearly 10,000 sq.ft. area) is going to be costlier than the ex-US President Barack Obama’s new house purchased last year.

To our surprise, it is most likely to be a whopping USD 7.25 million worth property after the mandatory 3 percent closing fee set by the US Government for every buyer!

Some other sources from the Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) say the property cost is about USD 8 million with USD 20,000 maintenance cost per month.

Speaking on the property’s cost, Shrestha explained that they would not go beyond the government’s budgetary allocation.

“The house we are planning to buy is a bit expensive because only a few houses meeting the government criteria were available in the area,” he adds.

Responding to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Nepal, Shrestha clarified that there are no plans to buy residences for staffers anytime soon.

As the sources say, the Embassy had published a procurement tender notice in 2017 itself and the process is currently at a conclusion stage.

However, the move is still under government’s perusal. “Why not buy an apartment at around US$ 740,000 to 925,000 (80 to 100 million rupees) to save the cost? What is the motive behind buying an 8-9 million dollars residence when there is already a four-story residence?” MoFA asked the Embassy citing Office of the Auditor General (OAG) report.

Currently, the Ambassador is residing in a four-story residence at the heart of Washington DC.

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As part of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Government of Nepal signed the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty in New York yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is in New York for 72nd UNGA session, signed the treaty on behalf of the Nepali Government.

Stating that “it is a good step towards nuclear disarmament”, Nepali Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bharat Raj Paudyal informed that Nepal’s stand on the disarmament of weapons causing mass destruction (including nuclear weapons) remains consistent and principled.

Apart from signing the treaty, Mahara attended the opening of General Debate of 72^nd UNGA session titled ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’, which was also attended by US President Donald Trump, among others.

Mahar also participated in another session titled Leaders’ Event on Forced Labor, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, organized by British Prime Minister Theresa May. In his remarks, Mahara iterated Nepal’s commitment towards addressing issues related to forced and bonded labor, human trafficking and slavery.

The Deputy PM further pitched on the need to focus on education and awareness in collaboration with UN agencies and NGOs.

Mahara also had bilateral talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, where both the leaders discussed Nepal-Norway bilateral ties and cooperation.

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Nepal is all set to sign an international treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Nepal confirmed this yesterday stating that ‘Nepal will sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons this week during the 72^nd Session of the UN General Assembly’.

MoFA spokesperson Bharat Raj Paudyal informed that Nepali Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is also the in-charge of country’s foreign affairs, will be signing the treaty.

The decision shows Nepal’s commitment towards the achievement of a world free from the threat posed by nuclear weapons, said Paudyal.

Accompanied by the senior officials of his ministry, Mahara has already left for New York to attend UNGA session on September 18, 2017.

As part of the visit, Mahara will be participating in a meeting on UN Peacekeeping Operations on the sidelines of UNGA, wherein, he is expected to sign the Treaty on Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons.

Apart from signing the Treaty, the Deputy Prime Minister will also be participating in various other discussions including ministerial-level meetings of Landlocked LCDs, Asian Cooperation Dialogue in New York, Non-Aligned Movement, G-77 and South-South Cooperation, among others.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur will also be leaving for New York today to attend UNGA session and will be addressing UNGA on September 23, 2017.

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