KATHMANDU: Nepali Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Chandra Ghimire, has returned to Nepal following the government’s controversial decision to recall 11 ambassadors from their posts abroad.

Upon arrival, Ghimire shared a reflective Facebook post expressing gratitude for his diplomatic tenure and pride in representing Nepal in London.

In his post, Ghimire thanked the Nepali community in the UK for their support, describing his tenure as “a fulfilling period of service to the nation and Nepalis abroad.” He also noted that he was returning home “with satisfaction of having done his duty with sincerity and dignity.”

Ghimire’s return comes at a time of heightened controversy after the government, led by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sushila Karki, issued an order recalling ambassadors from China, Germany, Israel, Malaysia, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States.

The move has drawn criticism for defying a Supreme Court interim order that explicitly directed the government not to implement the recalls until further hearings.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Sharanga Subedi and Shrikanta Paudel had issued a short-term interim order restraining the government from enforcing the recall decision, citing the need to uphold legal due process.

However, the government went ahead with the directive, instructing the ambassadors to return by November 6 and report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until further notice.

Officials at the ministry confirmed that formal letters had already been sent to all affected ambassadors, asking them to comply.

The contradictory orders have caused confusion within the diplomatic corps and raised serious concerns about the government’s adherence to judicial authority.

Diplomatic observers say the recall controversy has exposed tensions between executive power and judicial oversight in Nepal’s foreign policy.

They warn that the episode could undermine Nepal’s diplomatic credibility at a time when maintaining stable and professional international representation is crucial.

Ghimire, a seasoned bureaucrat and respected diplomat, was among the ambassadors appointed during the previous KP Sharma Oli-led government.