Editing Nepal (section)

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Nepal}}
[[File:Gurkha Memorial, Horse Guards Avenue - geograph.org.uk - 379881.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Gurkha]] Memorial, London]]
Nepal depends on diplomacy for national defence. It maintains a policy of neutrality between its neighbours, has amicable relations with other countries in the region, and has a policy of non-alignment at the global stage. Nepal is a member of [[SAARC]], [[UN]], [[WTO]], [[BIMSTEC]] and [[Asia Cooperation Dialogue|ACD]], among others. It has bilateral diplomatic relations with 167 countries and the EU,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.np/foreign-policy/bilateral-relation/ |title=Bilateral Relations – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA |language=en-US |publisher=[[Government of Nepal]] |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925203632/https://mofa.gov.np/foreign-policy/bilateral-relation/ |archive-date=25 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> has embassies in 30 countries<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.np/embassy-of-nepal/ |title=Embassy of Nepal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA |language=en-US |publisher=[[Government of Nepal]] |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717045107/https://mofa.gov.np/embassy-of-nepal/ |archive-date=17 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and six consulates,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.np/consulates-general-of-nepal/ |title=Consulates General of Nepal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA |language=en-US |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724133315/https://mofa.gov.np/consulates-general-of-nepal/ |archive-date=24 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> while 25 countries maintain embassies in Nepal, and more than 80 others maintain non-residential diplomatic missions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mofa.gov.np/non-residential-diplomatic-missions/ |title=NON-RESIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA |language=en-US |publisher=[[Government of Nepal]] |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717010017/https://mofa.gov.np/non-residential-diplomatic-missions/ |archive-date=17 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal is one of the major contributors to the [[United Nations peacekeeping|UN peacekeeping]] missions, having contributed more than 119,000 personnel to 42 missions since 1958.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/nepalese-peacekeepers-receive-un-medal |title=Nepalese Peacekeepers receive UN Medal |publisher=[[United Nations]] |language=en |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912075434/https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/nepalese-peacekeepers-receive-un-medal |url-status=live }}</ref> Nepali people have a reputation for honesty, loyalty and bravery, which has led to them serving as legendary Gurkha warriors in the Indian and British armies for the last 200 years, with service in both world wars, India-Pakistan wars as well as Afghanistan and Iraq,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/the-nepalis-fighting-americas-wars/ |title=The Nepalis Fighting America's Wars |first=Peter |last=Gill |newspaper=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]] |language=en-US |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919053517/https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/the-nepalis-fighting-americas-wars/ |archive-date=19 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> though Nepal was not directly involved in any of those conflicts, and winning the highest military awards, including the [[Victoria Cross]] and the [[Param Vir Chakra]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-big-question-who-are-the-gurkhas-and-what-is-their-contribution-to-military-history-1676354.html |title=The Big Question: Who are the Gurkhas and what is their contribution |date=30 April 2009 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |language=en |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603070551/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-big-question-who-are-the-gurkhas-and-what-is-their-contribution-to-military-history-1676354.html |archive-date=3 June 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:DA-ST-96-01245 c1.JPEG|thumb|upright|Nepal is one of the major contributors to [[United Nations peacekeeping|UN peacekeeping]] missions.]]
Nepal pursues a policy of "balanced relations" with the two giant immediate neighbours, India and China;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/18241 |title=Nepal's Ties With India, China |newspaper=[[The Rising Nepal]] |access-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222203139/https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/18241 |archive-date=22 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Dahal |first=Girdhari |year=2018 |title=Foreign Relation of Nepal with China and India |journal=[[Journal of Political Science]] |volume=XVIII |pages=46–61 |doi=10.3126/jps.v18i0.20439 |doi-access=free|s2cid=158946579 }}</ref> the [[1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship|1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship]] with India provides for a much closer relationship.<ref name=rn50>{{cite news |url=https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/22232 |title=Reviewing The Treaty Of 1950 |newspaper=[[The Rising Nepal]] |access-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303194225/https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/22232 |archive-date=3 March 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal and India share an open border with free movement of people, religious, cultural and marital ties. India is Nepal's largest trading partner, which it depends upon for all of its oil and gas, and a number of essential goods. Nepalis can own property in India, while Indians are free to live and work in Nepal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/is-it-the-end-of-india-s-special-relationship-with-nepal/story-ijLNl5AvvOt1w6fQANekVP.html |title=Is it the end of India's special relationship with Nepal? |date=8 March 2018 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en |access-date=6 April 2020 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406211917/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/is-it-the-end-of-india-s-special-relationship-with-nepal/story-ijLNl5AvvOt1w6fQANekVP.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Relations between India and Nepal, though very close, have faced difficulties stemming from [[Territorial disputes between India and Nepal|territorial disputes]],<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Anab |first1=Mohammad |last2=Punetha |first2=Prem |date=18 September 2020 |title=India Nepal news: Nepal depicts Indian areas as its own in book |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nepal-depicts-indian-areas-as-its-own-in-book/articleshow/78178044.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220418092548/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nepal-depicts-indian-areas-as-its-own-in-book/articleshow/78178044.cms |archive-date=18 April 2022 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> economics, and the problems inherent in big power-small power relations.{{sfn|Balakrishnan|2010|p=196}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2022|reason=needs inline citation from book source}} Nepal established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on 1 August 1955, and signed the [[Sino-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship|Treaty of Peace and Friendship]] in 1960; relations since have been based on the [[Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence]]. Nepal maintains neutrality in conflicts between China and India. It remains firmly committed to the [[One-China policy|One China Policy]] and is known to curb anti-China activities from the [[Tibetan diaspora|Tibetan refugees]] in Nepal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-tibet-nepal-20150806-story.html |title=Tibet's Road Ahead: Tibetans lose a haven in Nepal under Chinese pressure |date=6 August 2015 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023225427/https://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-tibet-nepal-20150806-story.html |archive-date=23 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Haviland |first=Charles |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7353249.stm |title=Nepal Arrests Tibetan Protesters |work=[[BBC News]] |date=17 April 2008 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930002704/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7353249.stm |archive-date=30 September 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Citizens of both countries can cross the border and travel as far as 30&nbsp;km without a visa.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/china-urged-to-let-nepalis-work-in-taklakot/|title=China urged to let Nepalis work in Taklakot|date=7 June 2019|newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]]|language=en-US|access-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607195323/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/china-urged-to-let-nepalis-work-in-taklakot/|archive-date=7 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> China is viewed favourably in Nepal owing to the absence of any border disputes or serious interference in internal politics, coupled with its assistance in infrastructure development and aid during emergencies; favourability has increased since China helped Nepal during the [[2015 Nepal blockade|2015 economic blockade]] imposed by India.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/why-nepals-access-to-china-ports-matters/|title=Why Nepal's Access to China Ports Matters|last=Rajgopalan|first=Rajeswari Pillai|newspaper=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]|language=en-US|access-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031155408/https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/why-nepals-access-to-china-ports-matters/|archive-date=31 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, China granted Nepal access to its ports for third-country trade, and Nepal joined China's [[Belt and Road Initiative]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/belt-and-road-initiative-nepals-concern-and-commitment/ |title=Belt and Road Initiative: Nepal's concern and commitment |date=23 April 2019 |newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]] |language=en-US |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424161958/https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/belt-and-road-initiative-nepals-concern-and-commitment/ |archive-date=24 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Nepal emphasises greater cooperation in South Asia and actively pushed for the establishment of [[SAARC]], the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the permanent secretariat of which, is hosted in Kathmandu.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Iqbal |first=Muhammad Jamshed |year=2006 |title=SAARC: Origin, Growth, Potential and Achievements |url=https://www.nihcr.edu.pk/Latest_English_Journal/SAARC_Jamshed_Iqbal.pdf |journal=[[Pakistan Journal of History & Culture]] |volume=XXVII |pages=127–40 |access-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111092347/https://www.nihcr.edu.pk/Latest_English_Journal/SAARC_Jamshed_Iqbal.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal was one of the first countries to recognise an independent Bangladesh, and the two countries seek to enhance greater cooperation, on trade and water management; seaports in Bangladesh, being closer, are seen as viable alternatives to India's monopoly on Nepal's third-country trade.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/19231 |title=Nepal, Bangladesh Can Become Better Trade Partners |newspaper=[[The Rising Nepal]] |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111072640/https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/19231 |archive-date=11 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal was the first South Asian country to establish diplomatic relations with [[Israel]], and the countries enjoy a strong relationship;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/42903/ |title=Marking the diplomatic ties between Nepal and Israel |newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]] |language=en |access-date=12 September 2019}}</ref> it recognises the rights of the [[Palestinians]], having voted in favour of its recognition at the UN and against the recognition of [[Jerusalem]] as Israel's capital.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2017/12/23/unga-vote-consistent-with-nepals-position-on-israel-palestine |title=UNGA vote 'consistent with Nepal's position on Israel, Palestine' |newspaper=[[The Kathmandu Post]] |language=en |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813203803/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2017/12/23/unga-vote-consistent-with-nepals-position-on-israel-palestine |url-status=live }}</ref> Countries that Nepal maintains a close relationship with, include the most generous donors and development partners—the [[United States]], the United Kingdom, [[Denmark]], [[Japan]] and [[Norway]], among others.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Khadka |first=Narayan |year=1997 |title=Foreign Aid to Nepal: Donor Motivations in the Post-Cold War Period |journal=[[Asian Survey]] |volume=37 |issue=11 |pages=1044–1061 |doi=10.2307/2645740 |issn=0004-4687 |jstor=2645740}}</ref>