Editing Nepal (section)

== Politics and government ==
===Politics===
{{Main|Politics of Nepal}}
{{Multiple image
| caption_align     = center
| total_width       = 300
| image1            = Ram Chandra Poudel during oath taking ceremony of President of Nepal.jpeg
| caption1          = [[Ram Chandra Poudel]]<br/>[[President of Nepal|President]]
| image2            = The Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on April 06, 2018 (cropped).jpg
| caption2          = [[KP Sharma Oli]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Nepal|Prime Minister]]
}}

Nepal is a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system.<ref name="Al Jazeera elections explained">{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2017/11/nepal-elections-2017-explained-171126103009857.html |title=Nepal elections explained |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |access-date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814220351/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2017/11/nepal-elections-2017-explained-171126103009857.html |archive-date=14 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nepal has been referred as the 'Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal' since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nepal 2015 Constitution - Constitute |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Nepal_2015 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.constituteproject.org |language=en}}</ref> It has seven national political parties recognised in the federal parliament: [[Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)]], [[Nepali Congress]], [[Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)]], [[Rastriya Swatantra Party]], [[Rastriya Prajatantra Party]], [[People's Socialist Party (Nepal, 2024)|People's Socialist Party]] and [[Janamat Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=प्रतिनिधिसभामा १२ दल, राष्ट्रिय पार्टी ७ मात्रै |url=https://ekantipur.com/news/2022/12/06/167034242099737230.html |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=ekantipur.com |language=ne |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813190236/https://ekantipur.com/news/2022/12/06/167034242099737230.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera elections explained"/> Of the two major parties which both officially espouse [[democratic socialism]], CPN(UML) is considered leftist while Nepali Congress is considered centrist.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2017/10/nepal-headed-communist-state-171014095129113.html |title=Is Nepal headed towards a communist state? |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |access-date=17 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726113406/https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2017/10/nepal-headed-communist-state-171014095129113.html |archive-date=26 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> During most of the brief periods of democratic exercise in the 1950s and the 1990s, Nepali Congress held majority of seats in parliament; [[Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)|CPN (UML)]] was its competitor in the 1990s.<ref name="Khadka 1993">{{cite journal |last=Khadka |first=Narayan |year=1993 |title=Democracy and Development in Nepal: Prospects and Challenges |journal=Pacific Affairs |volume=66 |issue=1 |pages=44–71 |doi=10.2307/2760015 |issn=0030-851X |jstor=2760015}}</ref> After the [[Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)|Maoists]] entered the political process in 2006, they emerged as the third largest party.<ref name="mao"/> In the aftermath of the [[2017 Nepalese legislative election|2017 elections]], the first one according to the new constitution, NCP, formed by the merger of CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre) had become the ruling party at the federal level and in six out of seven provinces.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/ncp-to-announce-party-department-chiefs-today/|title=NCP to announce party department chiefs today |date=21 July 2019 |newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]] |language=en-US |access-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818100446/https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/ncp-to-announce-party-department-chiefs-today/ |archive-date=18 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the [[2022 Nepalese general election|2022 general election]], the House of Representatives of [[2nd Federal Parliament of Nepal|2nd Federal parliament]] was formed as hung parliament and a coalition government led by [[Pushpa Kamal Dahal]] was formed in December 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Maoist rebel leader Prachanda becomes Nepal PM for third time |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/25/ex-maoist-rebel-leader-prachanda-becomes-nepal-pm-for-third-time |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |access-date=7 April 2023 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407180542/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/25/ex-maoist-rebel-leader-prachanda-becomes-nepal-pm-for-third-time |url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 July 2024, K. P. Sharma Oli was sworn in as Nepali Prime minister for fourth time. New coalition was formed between Nepali Congress, led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, and UML, led by Oli. The party leaders will take turns as prime ministers for 18 months each until the next general elections in 2027.<ref>{{cite news |title=Oli becomes prime minister for fourth time, swearing-in today |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/07/14/president-appoints-kp-sharma-oli-prime-minister |work=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}</ref>

[[File:BP Koirala.jpg|thumb|upright|[[B.P. Koirala]] led the 1951 revolution, became the first democratically elected Prime Minister, and after being deposed and imprisoned in 1961, spent the rest of his life fighting for democracy.|alt=Portrait of B. P. Koirala]]
In the 1930s, a vibrant underground political movement arose in the capital, birthing [[Nepal Praja Parishad]] in 1936,{{sfn|Hutt|2004|pp=3–7}} which was dissolved seven years later, following the execution of the [[Martyrs of Nepal|four great martyrs]]. Around the same time, Nepalis involved in the [[Indian independence movement]] started organizing into political parties, leading to the birth of [[Nepali Congress]] and [[Communist Party of Nepal]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=T. Louise |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uy2IAgAAQBAJ |title=The Challenge to Democracy in Nepal |date=1 November 2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-88532-9 |language=en |access-date=7 October 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127200145/https://books.google.com/books?id=uy2IAgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> As communism was trying to find its footing, Nepali Congress was successful in [[1951 Nepalese revolution|overthrowing the Rana regime]] in 1951 and enjoyed the overwhelming support of the electorate.<ref name="ram00">{{cite journal |last1=Ramachandran |first1=Shastri |last2=Ramachandaran |first2=Shastri |year=2003 |title=Nepal as Seen from India |journal=[[India International Centre Quarterly]] |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=81–98 |issn=0376-9771 |jstor=23006108}}</ref> In the partyless [[Panchayat (Nepal)|Panchayat system]] initiated in 1962 by [[Mahendra of Nepal|King Mahendra]], monarchy loyalists took turns leading the government; political leaders remained underground, exiled or in prison.{{sfn|Hutt|2004|pp=3–7}} A communist insurgency was crushed in its cradle in the 1970s, which led to the eventual coalescence of hitherto scattered communist factions under the [[United Left Front (Nepal, 1990)|United Left Front]].

After the [[1990 Nepalese revolution|joint civil resistance]] launched by the United Left Front and Nepali Congress overthrew the Panchayat in 1990,<ref name=ram00/><ref>Rawal, Bhim Bahadur. ''Nepalma samyabadi andolan: udbhab ra vikas''. Kathmandu: Pairavi Prakashan. p. 83–84.</ref> the Front became [[CPN UML|CPN (UML)]], adopted multi-party democracy, and in the brief period, it was in government, introduced welfare programmes that remain popular.<ref name="Khadka 1993"/> After the Maoist Party joined mainstream politics, in the aftermath of the [[2006 Nepalese revolution|peaceful revolution of 2006]], it also adopted multi-party democracy as its official line. The transition period between 2006 and 2015 saw sustained protests from the newly formed ethnocentric nationalist movements, principal among them the [[Madhes Movement]].

=== Government ===
{{Main|Government of Nepal|Constitution of Nepal}}
Nepal is governed according to the [[Constitution of Nepal]]. It defines Nepal as having multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-cultural characteristics with common aspirations of people living in diverse geographical regions, and being committed to and united by a bond of allegiance to the national independence, territorial integrity, national interest, and prosperity of Nepal.<ref name=con15/>
{{multiple images|perrow=2/1
|image1=Kathmandu-35.JPG
|width1=148
|caption1=[[Singha Durbar]], the seat of government in Kathmandu
|image2=Supreme Court of Nepal 01.jpg
|width2=148
|caption2=The Supreme Court
|image3=Nepalese Constituent Assembly Building.jpg
|width3=300
|caption3=[[International Convention Centre, Nepal|Parliament House]]
}}
The [[Government of Nepal]] has three branches:<ref name=con15/>
* [[Executive (government)|Executive]]: The form of governance is a multi-party, competitive, federal democratic republican parliamentary system based on plurality. The President appoints the parliamentary party leader of the political party with the majority in the House of Representatives as Prime Minister, who forms the Council of ministers that exercises the executive power.
* [[Legislature]]: The Legislature of Nepal, called the Federal Parliament, consists of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. The House of Representatives consists of 275 members elected through a [[mixed electoral system]] and has a term of five years. The National Assembly, consisting of 59 members elected by provincial electoral colleges, is a permanent house; a third of its members are elected every two years for a six-year term.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2015-09-16/ca-approves-ceremonial-prez-bicameral-legislature.html |title=CA approves ceremonial prez, bicameral legislature |date=16 September 2015 |newspaper=[[The Kathmandu Post]]|access-date=8 December 2017 |quote=Provincial parliaments will be unicameral. "The CA also approved a mixed electoral system for parliamentary election with 60 percent directly elected and 40 percent proportionally elected." |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044107/https://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2015-09-16/ca-approves-ceremonial-prez-bicameral-legislature.html |archive-date=9 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Judiciary]]: Nepal has a unitary three-tier independent judiciary that comprises the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, headed by the [[Chief Justice of Nepal|Chief Justice]], seven High Courts, one in each province, the highest court at the provincial level, and 77 district courts, one in each district. The municipal councils can convene local judicial bodies to resolve disputes and render non-binding verdicts in cases not involving actionable crime. The actions and proceedings of the local judicial bodies may be guided and countermanded by the district courts.<ref name=con15/>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Nepal}}
{{Nepal province labelled map}}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|- 
! Province
! Capital
! [[List of districts of Nepal|Districts]]
! Area<br/>(km<sup>2</sup>)
! [[List of Nepalese provinces by population|Population]]<br/>Census<br/>2011
! [[List of Nepalese provinces by population|Population]]<br/>Census<br/>2021
! Density<br/>(people/km<sup>2</sup>)<br/>2021
! [[List of Nepalese provinces by Human Development Index|Human<br>Development<br>Index]]
! Map
|-
|[[Koshi Province]]||[[Biratnagar]]|| align="center" |14|| align="right" |25,905|| align="right" |4,534,943|| align="right" |4,972,021|| align="center" |192|| align="center" |0.553||[[File:Nepal Province 1.svg|100px]]
|-
|[[Madhesh Province]]||[[Janakpur]]|| align="center" |8|| align="right" |9,661|| align="right" |5,404,145|| align="right" |6,126,288|| align="center" |634|| align="center" |0.485||[[File:Nepal Madhesh Province.svg|100px]]
|-
|[[Bagmati Province]]||[[Hetauda]] || align="center" |13|| align="right" |20,300|| align="right" |5,529,452|| align="right" |6,084,042|| align="center" |300|| align="center" |0.560||[[File:Nepal Province 3.svg|100px]]
|-
|[[Gandaki Province]]||[[Pokhara]] || align="center" |11|| align="right" |21,856|| align="right" |2,403,757|| align="right" |2,479,745|| align="center" |113|| align="center" |0.567||[[File:Nepal Province 4.svg|100px]]
|-
|[[Lumbini Province]]||[[Deukhuri]]|| align="center" |12|| align="right" |19,707|| align="right" |4,499,272|| align="right" |5,124,225|| align="center" |260|| align="center" |0.519||[[File:Nepal Province 5.svg|100px]]
|-
|[[Karnali Province]]||[[Birendranagar]]|| align="center" |10|| align="right" |30,213|| align="right" |1,570,418|| align="right" |1,694,889|| align="center" |56|| align="center" |0.469||[[File:Nepal Karnali.svg|100px]]
|-
|[[Sudurpashchim Province]]||[[Godawari, Seti|Godawari]]|| align="center" |9|| align="right" |19,539|| align="right" |2,552,517|| align="right" |2,711,270|| align="center" |139|| align="center" |0.478||[[File:Nepal Sudurpashchim Pradesh.svg|100px]]
|-
!Nepal
![[Kathmandu]]
![[List of districts of Nepal|77]]
!147,181
!26,494,504
!29,192,480
!198
!0.579
![[File:Nepal grey.svg|frameless|100x100px]]
|}
Nepal is a federal republic comprising [[List of provinces of Nepal|7 provinces]]. Each province is composed of 8 to 14 districts. The districts, in turn, comprise local units known as urban and rural municipalities.<ref name=con15/> There is a total of 753 local units which includes 6 metropolitan municipalities, 11 sub-metropolitan municipalities and 276 municipalities for a total of 293 urban municipalities, and 460 rural municipalities.<ref name=asia1>{{cite web |title=Diagnostic Study of Local Governance in Federal Nepal 2017 |author=Australian Government-The Asia Foundation Partnership on Subnational Governance in Nepal |publisher=[[The Asia Foundation]] |url=https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Diagnostic-Study-of-Local-Governance-in-Federal-Nepal-07112018.pdf |access-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720153050/https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Diagnostic-Study-of-Local-Governance-in-Federal-Nepal-07112018.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Each local unit is composed of wards. There are 6,743 wards in total.

The local governments enjoy executive and legislative as well as limited judicial powers in their local jurisdiction. The provinces have unicameral parliamentary Westminster system of governance. The local and provincial governments exercise some absolute powers and some powers shared with provincial or federal government. The district coordination committee, a committee composed of all elected officials from the local governments in the district, has a very limited role.<ref name=con15/><ref name=asia1/>

=== Laws and law enforcement{{Anchor|Crime_and_law_enforcement}} ===
{{Main|Law enforcement in Nepal}}
The [[Constitution of Nepal]] is the supreme law of the land, and any other laws contradicting it are automatically invalid to the extent of the contradiction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/55907/ |title=Govt registers amendment bill to review 56 laws in bulk |newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]] |language=en |access-date=2 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902125309/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/55907/|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The specific legal provisions are codified as [[Civil Code]] and [[Criminal Code]], accompanied by Civil Procedure Code and Criminal Procedure Code respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/25251 |title=The Modified Criminal And Civil Codes |newspaper=[[The Rising Nepal]] |access-date=2 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902125556/https://therisingnepal.org.np/news/25251 |archive-date=2 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Supreme Court is the highest authority in the interpretation of laws and it can direct the parliament to amend or enact new laws as required. The death penalty has been abolished.<ref name="Death Penalty">{{cite web |url=https://www.deathpenalty.org/article.php?id=81 |title=International Views on the Death Penalty |publisher=[[Death Penalty Focus]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106083835/https://www.deathpenalty.org/article.php?id=81 |archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=6 November 2012}}</ref> It recognises marital rape and supports abortion rights. Owing to a rise in sex-selective abortion, however, constraints have been introduced. Nepal is a signatory to the [[Geneva Convention]], [[Biological Weapons Convention|Conventions/Treaties on the prohibition of Biological]], [[Chemical Weapons Convention|Chemical]] and [[Nuclear weapons convention|Nuclear weapons]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/vwTreatiesByCountrySelected.xsp?xp_countrySelected=NP |title=Treaties, States parties, and Commentaries – Nepal |publisher=[[International Committee of the Red Cross]] |access-date=2 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902125320/https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/vwTreatiesByCountrySelected.xsp%3Fxp_countrySelected%3DNP |archive-date=2 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[ILO fundamental conventions|International Labour Organization Fundamental Conventions]], [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons]] and the [[Paris climate accord]]. Some legal provisions, guided by socio-economic, cultural and religious sensibilities, remain discriminatory. There is gender-based discrimination against foreign nationals married to Nepali citizens.{{Efn|However, same-sex marriage with foreign nationals occurring in a jurisdiction that recognises same-sex marriage is now recognised in Nepal, for eligibility to obtain a "non-tourist visa" as dependent of a Nepali citizen, by verdict of the Supreme Court in 2017, as the laws do not make sex-specific distinction in provisions relating to the rights of foreign nationals married to Nepali citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nkp.gov.np/full_detail/8972/?keywords=%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%20%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4 |title=निर्णय नं. ९९२१ – उत्प्रेषण/ परमादेश |publisher=[[Government of Nepal]] |access-date=28 July 2023 |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728191144/https://nkp.gov.np/full_detail/8972/?keywords=%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%20%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4 |url-status=live }}</ref>|name=|group=}} Paternal lineage of a person is valued and required in legal documents. Many laws remain unenforced in practice.

[[File:Traffic-controllers - Kathmandu, Nepal - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Traffic police personnel manually direct traffic at the busiest roads and junctions.]]
[[Nepal Police]] is the primary law enforcement agency. It is an independent organisation under the command of the [[Inspector General of Police (Nepal)|Inspector General]], who is appointed by and reports to the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. In addition to maintaining law and order, it is responsible for the management of road traffic, which is undertaken by Nepal Traffic Police. [[Armed Police Force (Nepal)|Nepal Armed Police Force]], a separate paramilitary police organisation, works in cooperation with Nepal police in routine security matters; it is intended for crowd control, counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism actions, and other internal matters where the use of force may be necessary. The [[Central Investigation Bureau|Crime Investigation Department]] of Nepal Police specialises in criminal investigation and forensic analysis.<ref name="Newman2010">{{cite book |title=Crime and Punishment around the World |first=Graeme |last=Newman |page=171 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |year=2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2uK6bR9byVIC&pg=RA2-PA176|isbn=978-0-313-35134-1}}</ref><ref name="AHRC">{{cite web |title=NEPAL: Corruption in Nepal&nbsp;– Curse or Crime? |url=https://www.humanrights.asia/opinions/columns/AHRC-ETC-011-2012 |publisher=[[Asian Human Rights Commission]]|access-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815082147/https://www.humanrights.asia/opinions/columns/AHRC-ETC-011-2012 |archive-date=15 August 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="InterpolNepal">{{cite web |title=INTERPOL – Kathmandu |url=https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/NEPAL |access-date=7 May 2021 |website=[[Interpol]] |archive-date=5 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205005504/https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/NEPAL |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Brown2013">{{cite web |title=The Impact of Organized Crime on Governance in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Nepal|publisher=[[Center on International Cooperation]]|url=https://cic.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/kavanagh_crime_developing_countries_nepal_study.pdf |access-date=6 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223155209/https://cic.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/kavanagh_crime_developing_countries_nepal_study.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://niss.org.np/organizational-structure-and-role-of-nid-in-nepals-federal-set-up/ |title=Organizational Structure and Role of NID in Nepal's Federal Set up|publisher=[[Nepal Institute for Strategic Studies]]|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902125311/https://niss.org.np/organizational-structure-and-role-of-nid-in-nepals-federal-set-up/|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority]] is an independent investigative agency that investigates and prosecutes cases related to corruption, bribery and abuses of authority. At 2.16 per 100,000 in 2016, Nepal's intentional homicide rate is much lower than average; police data indicates a steady increase in the crime rate in recent years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/12/08/crime-rate-in-nepal-rose-by-40-percent-in-past-five-fiscal-years-police-data-reveals |title=Crime rate in Nepal rose by 40 percent in past five fiscal years, police data reveals |website=Kathmandu Post |language=en |access-date=3 April 2020 |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227224639/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2019/12/08/crime-rate-in-nepal-rose-by-40-percent-in-past-five-fiscal-years-police-data-reveals |url-status=live }}</ref> Nepal was ranked 76 out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index (GPI) in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/ |title=Global Peace Index 2019 |website=Vision of Humanity |publisher=[[Institute for Economics & Peace]] |access-date=9 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619080402/https://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/ |archive-date=19 June 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Nepal's [[Henley Passport Index|passport]] has consistently been ranked among the weakest in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/01/12/nepali-passport-remains-among-world-s-weakest |title=Nepali passport remains among world's weakest |website=kathmandupost.com |date=2024-01-12 |access-date=2024-06-14}}</ref>

=== 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>

===Military and intelligence===
{{main|Nepali Army}}
[[File:Kukri,_karda_&_chakmak.jpg|thumb|right|The multipurpose [[Kukri]] knife (top) is the signature weapon of the Nepali armed forces, and is used by the Gurkhas, Nepal Army, Police and even security guards.]]
The President is the supreme commander of the [[Nepali Army]]; its routine management is handled by the [[Ministry of Defence (Nepal)|Ministry of Defence]]. The military expenditure for 2018 was $398.5&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.CD?locations=NP |title=Military expenditure (current USD) {{!}} Data |publisher=[[World Bank]] |access-date=14 September 2019 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813193309/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.CD?locations=NP |url-status=live }}</ref> around 1.4% of GDP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=NP |title=Military expenditure (% of GDP) {{!}} Data |publisher=[[World Bank]] |access-date=14 September 2019 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813191908/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?locations=NP |url-status=live }}</ref> An almost exclusively ground infantry force, Nepal Army numbers at less than one hundred thousand;<ref name=rag/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/08/10/new-chief-faces-daunting-task-rebuilding-nepal-armys-image |title=New chief faces daunting task rebuilding Nepal Army's image |newspaper=[[The Kathmandu Post]] |language=en |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813190352/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/08/10/new-chief-faces-daunting-task-rebuilding-nepal-armys-image |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/lieutenant-general-purna-chandra-thapa-to-take-charge-of-nepali-army-as-acting-chief-of-army-staff/ |title=Thapa to take charge of Nepali Army as acting CoAS |date=9 August 2018 |newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]] |language=en-US |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917071448/https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/lieutenant-general-purna-chandra-thapa-to-take-charge-of-nepali-army-as-acting-chief-of-army-staff/ |archive-date=17 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> recruitment is voluntary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nepal/ |title=South Asia :: Nepal – The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109075733/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nepal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It has few aircraft, mainly helicopters, primarily used for transport, patrol, and search and rescue.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/nepali-army-launches-new-helicopters/ |title=Nepali Army launches new helicopters |date=23 June 2015 |newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]] |language=en-US |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723110205/https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/nepali-army-launches-new-helicopters/ |archive-date=23 July 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (Nepal)|Directorate of Military Intelligence]] under Nepal Army serves as the military intelligence agency;<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CVLeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA199 |title=Military and Democracy in Nepal |last=Adhikari |first=Indra |date=2015 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=9781317589068 |language=en}}</ref> [[National Investigation Department of Nepal|National Investigation Department]] tasked with national and international intelligence gathering, is independent.<ref name=rag>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dHXRR3z-_EC&pg=PA130|title=Nepal as a Federal State: Lessons from Indian Experience |last=Raghavan |first=V. R. |date=2013 |publisher=[[Vij Books India]] |isbn=9789382652014 |language=en}}</ref> Nepal Army is primarily used for routine security of critical assets, an anti-poaching patrol of national parks, counterinsurgency, and search and rescue during natural disasters;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/19522/ |title=Army to rescue |newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]] |language=en |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224014046/http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/19522/ |url-status=live }}</ref> it also undertakes major construction projects.<ref name=milroad>{{cite news |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/dolpa-hq-connected-to-national-road-network/ |title=Dolpa HQ connected to national road network |date=18 November 2018 |newspaper=[[The Himalayan Times]] |language=en-US |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814190232/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/dolpa-hq-connected-to-national-road-network |url-status=live }}</ref> There are no discriminatory policies on recruitment into the army, but it is dominated by men from elite Pahari warrior castes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/4357/ |title=Women promoted to major for first time in NA infantry |last=Pariyar |first=Kamal |newspaper=[[Republica (newspaper)|Republica]] |language=en |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601000757/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/4357/ |archive-date=1 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/news-and-analysis/post/751-bhakti-shah-the-fight-for-gay-and-transgender-rights-in-nepal |title=Bhakti Shah – the fight for gay and transgender rights in Nepal |publisher=[[Saferworld]] |language=en |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813190247/https://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/news-and-analysis/post/751-bhakti-shah-the-fight-for-gay-and-transgender-rights-in-nepal |url-status=live }}</ref>