Revolutionary new model as stated below infrastructure of Embassies can play key role in the development of Nepal. No doubts that with new model we can get lot help and generate revenues from foreign countries plus.Current infrastructure is failed centralized system. It’s deem imminent for restructuring & decentralizing all embassies abroad as soon as possible particularly in big countries.

Outdated centralized Embassies abroad of any country no longer is effective. New model of decentralizations on it can bring huge benefit to the country.Nepal has centralized Embassies abroad however, we all know that it has very few capable diplomats. We need to have highly qualified, educated , well trained, experienced elite dynamic Ambassadors / Consulars to do their best job for Nepal. Such diplomats can bring the benefit inside the country and provide the best services abroad for foreigners as well as NRN and other Nepalese citizen residing there.

One Testimony of current Nepalese Embassy of USA :

Here is what I experienced:

I got to travel to Nepal in last December as I got my Dad in critical condition and very sick. I start collecting information to travel Nepal. I got lot problems to obtain one simple email from Nepalese Embassy that delayed my traveling to Nepal nearly two weeks.

Reasons behind It was delayed:

1. Hard to contact Embassy by phone
2. Even they take call once hard to reach second time. It may take hours/days to reconnect.
3. Simple email reply may take a week or more
4. It’s technically failed system

Luckily as I know one young dynamic honorary consular of Nepal for California Rishi Dhakal. He helped me to connect with them , however it was too late.

By the time, I got email letter from embassy and I reached in Nepal, it was too late.
My Dad passed away! It was awfully sad, I do not know how many Nepalese living out of country is still facing such kind issues & how many had already faced ? Either way it is simply sad!

I reported to Foreign Ministry of Nepal about the situation, slow responses of Nepalese Embassy in USA via email. It is already 6 months and no reply yet. So it’s clear both Embassy & Foreign Ministry of Nepal has fail system.

Revolutionary Model:

I suggest revolutionary new model of decentralized Embassy that include decentralize consulate offices particularly in big countries like USA, Russia, China, India, Australia.

Consulate offices in such countries beside Embassies can provide great services for the foreigners, NRN, Nepalese students, Nepalese Citizens residing in the concern countries.

For an example in USA:

There are honorary 8 consulars in USA that include : Baltomore, California, Chicago, Hawaii, Washington State, Utha and two more states .

Only in California there are 4 honorary consulates among them most of the people know only Rishi Dhakal , who is very active responsive and helpful regardless you are in California or any part of the country he will help you. It’s proven, I had personal experiences . We need that kind consular with decentralized power for sure. That will make big difference no doubts about it.
Unfortunately consular Rishi has no authority to issue visa, official letter etc technically he is powerless. That has to change.

Old centralized Embassy system won’t work any more . Government of Nepal must see the bigger picture and should have vision & see further with this model :

1. Open consulate offices as required provide all the resources to the appointed counsel ats & give them direct power to provide particularly in these services: visas , power of attorneys papers, who need for business in Nepal as required, Engage them in diplomatic missions with higher authorities, investors, state department of concern countries.

With such facilities to the consulate offices not only give great services but also bring huge investments and diplomatic relations in next level .

Just few things worth while to mention, how they can bring benefit to Nepal?

1. Declaring sister cities , building strong bond between states of USA and Nepal, Coordinating cultural, educational, sports technological exchanges between two countries. Typical to other countries.

2. Bringing direct investment in Nepal such as from Silicon Valley’s and other giant ventures

It will be hard to explain everything in this small writeup. Just want to let you all know
that potential is simply huge.

Imagine, if they have all those authorities as mentioned above before and it had setup infrastructure like the way I had explained. We could have built up easy access to get help in this pandemic crisis too. We all know Pfizer in California, Silicon Valley in California and many more. We are still optimistic, let’s put that way.

It is not too late, it is time to change time to stop nepotism bureaucracy selecting ambassadors, consulars . Time to start new model with dynamic diplomats and must not hesitate to spend money to established standard decentralized consulate offices particularly in big countries like USA, China, Russia, India, Australia, Canada.

Unless Nepalese government won’t see the world in bigger picture with broad minded being fair and reasonable nothing going to happen .It’s time to act in new way.Time to stop conventional failed infrastructure of the Embassies and so called supporting Foreign Ministry. Government of Nepal must be looking into new way as suggested and act fast still its not too late to add new chapter in Nepalese Diplomacy.

-Saroj Joshi
– Editor: KS