With sweeping arrests, bold administrative resets, and a charged geopolitical backdrop involving the United States, China, and India, Nepal stands at a crossroads where symbolism, disruption, and uncertainty converge

Lame Ahal in Kaski district of Pokhara was a traditional Nepali Congress-voting village; it did not surprise anyone when it voted en masse for the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The sound of bells (ghanti, RSP’s election symbol) has enchanted music-loving Nepalis. Last Saturday, more than three weeks after Balen Shah took oath as Prime Minister on March 27, to my question whether Lame Ahal was happy with the Balen government, veteran Yam Bahadur replied: “ekdum! bilkul khushi chha”.

Incidentally, Balen has not spoken a word in public: no meeting with the press; no address to the nation or the newly elected Parliament; no posts on X or other social media. His longest election rally speech was five minutes. He presides in silence, and it works for him, as an RSP PhD scholar at South Asia University, Delhi, told me. All he did was release a five-minute video clip, “Jai Mahakali”, the Gorkha war cry that went viral, establishing his skills as a renowned rapper. For Balen, style is more important than substance.

He has introduced several changes: the diplomatic code of conduct-meeting ambassadors en bloc or in batches, not individually. Former Chinese ambassador Hou Yanqi used to drop in at Sheetal Niwas (the President’s residence) or Baluwatar (the Prime Minister’s residence) without informing the Foreign Ministry. Balen will follow protocol: meet emissaries at the appropriate level without deviation. The test will be on 1 May, when the US super ambassador and presidential envoy to South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, has sought a meeting with him, and only........

© The Pioneer