{"id":16245,"date":"2026-05-02T06:41:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T00:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=16245"},"modified":"2026-05-02T06:41:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T00:56:42","slug":"drones-on-everest-diplomacy-in-singh-durbar-a-single-day-exposes-the-contradictions-of-balens-foreign-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=16245","title":{"rendered":"Drones on Everest, Diplomacy in Singh Durbar: A Single Day Exposes the Contradictions of Balen’s Foreign Policy<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kathmandu \u2014 A single Friday laid bare the complexity and contradictions of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s diplomatic style. In the morning, US Special Envoy Sergio Gor was flying a drone at Everest Base Camp. By afternoon, the same Gor was seated in Singh Durbar discussing economic partnership with Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle. Yet, Prime Minister Shah was nowhere to be seen. This picture illuminates the core character of the Balen government’s foreign policy \u2014 on one hand, American presence and influence are expanding; on the other, the Prime Minister remains personally distant.<\/p>\n

According to the Ministry of Finance, Gor and Finance Minister Wagle discussed a range of issues concerning Nepal-US economic partnership and development assistance. The meeting followed Gor’s earlier talks with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal. Just hours before these engagements, however, Gor had reached Everest Base Camp and conducted a test flight of an American cargo drone, the Ultra X Gen 2 \u2014 without prior approval from the Nepali government, and close to the Chinese border. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has stated it has no information on the matter. The government, too, has yet to issue any formal response.<\/p>\n

It is precisely this silence that raises serious questions about Nepal’s diplomatic standing. A special envoy of a foreign power travels to your most sensitive border region, tests technology without authorisation, and you remain silent \u2014 this is not merely an administrative lapse; it is a devaluation of sovereignty. The Everest region is not only a symbol of Nepal’s national pride but also a sensitive border zone adjoining China. Openly flying a drone there not only risks provoking a friendly neighbour but also casts a question mark over Nepal’s neutrality.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, back in Singh Durbar, discussions with Gor centred on economic cooperation. America is indeed a development partner of Nepal. The Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, bringing $550 million in grant assistance, is in its implementation phase. American influence also flows through the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. But the question must be asked \u2014 is the devaluation of sovereignty in the name of economic aid and investment acceptable? There is no diplomatic doctrine that compels a country to tolerate unauthorised activities in its border areas simply because it cooperates with a development partner.<\/p>\n

The personal absence of Prime Minister Shah has only deepened this contradiction. By adopting a policy of not meeting officials below the rank of minister, he has kept all foreign diplomats at arm’s length. This has produced a peculiar situation \u2014 the American side engages in activities on Nepali soil with apparent freedom, yet no prime ministerial accountability or control is visible. Ministers meet, discuss, and make commitments. But on the question of sovereignty, there is silence.<\/p>\n

This state of affairs creates three serious risks for Nepal’s diplomatic future. First, tension with China \u2014 Beijing will certainly view the American drone test in the Everest region with gravity. Second, questions over Nepal’s neutrality \u2014 if one power is permitted such open activity, another power may expect the same latitude. Third, the Prime Minister’s ‘diplomacy of silence’ raises questions about internal government coordination \u2014 does the Prime Minister even know about the discussions and commitments his ministers are making? If so, what does his silence signify?<\/p>\n

The Balen government presents itself as ‘independent’, ‘unconventional’, and ‘reformist’. But diplomacy is not merely about protocol; it is the art of defending national interest. In diplomacy, ‘silence’ can be a strategy, but losing control is not. The drone display on Everest during Gor’s visit demonstrates that Nepal’s sovereignty remains at a testing hour \u2014 and the Prime Minister’s silence has only made that test harder to pass.<\/p>\n

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