Kathmandu [Nepal], Sept 16 – A lawmaker from Nepal’s ruling party has urged the government to urgently appoint ambassadors to vacant diplomatic missions, questioning the continued delay as Prime Minister Balendra Shah prepares to travel to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking in Parliament, MP Yagyamani Neupane said leaving ambassadorial posts vacant was weakening Nepal’s diplomacy and questioned what was holding up the appointments.
“Diplomacy cannot be strengthened by leaving ambassadorial posts vacant. Why has the government still not appointed ambassadors?” the lawmaker said.
The MP pointed out that Nepal currently has no ambassador in the United States, where Shah is due to travel later this month to participate in the UN General Assembly.
“Prime Minister, you are going to the United States to participate in the United Nations General Assembly. But, unfortunately, Nepal does not have an ambassador in the United States,” the MP said.
The lawmaker said qualified Nepali citizens with the required capacity and expertise were available and questioned why the government had yet to complete the appointments.
The remarks come as the government approaches six months in office amid growing criticism over the prolonged vacancies in diplomatic missions including key posts such as the United States and India.
The MP also urged the government to make the appointments without further delay, arguing that diplomatic missions should not be left without leadership.
“Therefore, I urge the government to appoint ambassadors without further delay, not leave vacant diplomatic missions without leadership, and not leave Nepal’s foreign policy entirely in the hands of bureaucrats,” the lawmaker said.
The MP also referred to the support lawmakers had provided to the ruling party and government, saying they had done so in line with the mandate given by the people.
