Nepal to host fifth edition of Prof Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series

Kathmandu – Nepal’s foreign policy discourse is set to take central stage once again as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) hosts the fifth edition of the Prof Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series on June 29.
Former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai will deliver this year’s speech on “Foreign Policy of Nepal: Navigating Geopolitical and Geo-economical Trends”, a subject that has gained increasing significance as Nepal balances its relations with major powers while seeking greater economic opportunities.
The annual lecture series has become one of the Foreign Ministry’s flagship platforms for discussions on diplomacy and Nepal’s place in a rapidly changing world. Named after Prof Yadu Nath Khanal, one of the architects of Nepal’s modern foreign policy, the series aims to encourage debate on the country’s external relations while honoring his contributions to Nepali diplomacy.
The choice of this year’s theme reflects the challenges facing Nepal as geopolitical competition intensifies across Asia and economic considerations become increasingly intertwined with foreign policy decisions.
Over the past four editions, the lecture series has focused on some of Nepal’s most important diplomatic relationships. The inaugural lecture in 2022 highlighted Prof Khanal’s contribution to Nepal’s foreign policy. The second edition in 2023 continued broader discussions on international affairs while the 2024 lecture examined the future of Nepal-India relations amid shifting global dynamics. Last year’s edition focused on Nepal-China relations in the context of South Asia, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties between Kathmandu and Beijing.
The series is named after Prof Khanal, a towering figure in Nepal’s diplomatic history. Born in Tanahun in 1913, he served twice as foreign secretary and later advised the prime minister on foreign affairs. He also represented Nepal as ambassador to China, India and the United States, three countries that remain central to Kathmandu’s foreign policy calculations.
Widely credited with helping shape Nepal’s diplomatic outlook during its formative years, Khanal advocated expanding Nepal’s international engagement and diversifying its diplomatic contacts. His writings and diplomatic thinking continue to influence Nepal’s foreign policy establishment decades after his service.
As Nepal confronts evolving geopolitical and geo-economic realities, this year’s lecture is expected to add fresh perspectives to an ongoing debate about how the Himalayan nation should position itself in an increasingly competitive regional and global environment.

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