Samriddhi Foundation hosts Sambad@Samriddhi with Sudheer Sharma

KATHMANDU: Samriddhi Foundation organised 'Sambad@Samriddhi' with Sudheer Sharma, former editor‑in‑chief of Kantipur Daily, in Kathmandu on Friday.

At the programme, Robin Sitaula of Samriddhi Foundation discussed foreign policy, political scenarios and geopolitics in the context of Nepal.

During the discussion, Sharma said that internal politics are poor and the country lacks a proper system, unlike foreign nations. “There is no proper institution either. Hence, we get easily influenced and always juggle between real news and conspiracy theories. Therefore, the impact is severe,” he said.

He added, “India and China are getting big in economic power, and geopolitics is slowly reviving. Nepal could hold a significant meaning.”

Moreover, he said Nepal is now facing challenges it had never faced before, as national aspirations regarding the economy and development have changed, “The saying of ‘dui dhunga bich ko tarul’ needs to gain new meaning as Nepal is facing pressure from multiple countries now, while trying to balance between the two neighbouring countries.”

Furthermore, Sharma said, “Nepal never got this level of global exposure ever, and our aspirations have become bigger too. We tried ‘isolation’ and ‘non‑alignment’ to maintain diplomacy, but regarding ‘Development’, Nepal needs a strategy and focus on what can benefit the country.”

Talking about foreign policy doctrine and economic diplomacy, Sharma further elaborated on the lack of coordination between Nepal’s ministries and the need to draw a red line when dealing with multiple countries on a diplomatic level.