Sandwiched between the rich Gangetic plains of India to the south and the majestic Himalayan Mountain chain along its borders with China to the north, Nepal holds a special place in South Asia. This landlocked country has always struggled to use its own resources, natural beauty, and rich cultural legacy due to its landlockedness. Nonetheless,...
The recent turn in the India-Bangladesh relationship is the latest among a string of changes in New Delhi’s neighborhood that can be traced to a fresh trend of “nation first” rather than “neighborhood first” foreign policies in the Indian subcontinent. A nation first foreign policy is driven by domestic nationalism and is based on an...
Sweeping policy changes marked Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States. Following his inauguration at the Capitol Hill on January 20, President Trump signed several Executive Orders that included the withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), tighter immigration rules, exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, increased tariffs on Mexico and Canada,...
In the heady mountain air of Davos last week, away from the parties and the back-slapping tech bros, another, more beleaguered crew touted their wares: the multilateralists. On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, representatives of aid agencies, development banks and multilateral lenders grabbed a moment with the many world leaders present, vying for...
In his farewell address, outgoing US President Joe Biden warned “an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy”. The comment suggests that, under Donald Trump’s second term as president, it will be billionaires rather than the people who shape public policy. There is certainly...
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, although civilizational links between the two sides can be traced to early 5th Century AD. Since establishing diplomatic ties on Aug 1, 1955, Nepal and China have enjoyed cordial, cooperative and win-win relations, not least because the two countries...
The traditional lion and dances welcoming the Chinese New Year in Nepal this year had special reasons to celebrate with the donation of 1,000 bicycles by China and the launch of Nepal Visit Year marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Nepal in 2025. “Those are significant events in bringing the neighbors...
Donald J Trump was sworn in on Monday as the 47th President of the United States, marking a remarkable political comeback. On Sunday, Trump pledged to issue nearly 100 executive orders aimed at reversing or eliminating policies enacted by the Biden administration. These orders primarily target immigration, energy policy, and a range of other issues....
As Donald Trump prepares for his second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States, there is significant attention on how his administration’s policies will impact immigrants, Nepali Americans and the broader US-Nepal relationship. In this changing landscape, initiatives like the United Nepali Political Action Committee (UNPAC), AMN-USA Media and Healing Together are stepping forward...
In the crowded streets of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, ride-hailing drivers navigate relentless traffic, carrying passengers and parcels that fuel Asia’s gig economy. These drivers, who are central to ride-hailing platforms, are emblematic of the sector’s promise of flexibility and opportunity.Yet, beneath the surface lies a troubling reality. Stringent regulation, restrictive tax policies and...