KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal’s diplomacy must directly contribute to the country’s economic transformation, emphasizing that the government is prioritizing effective, results-oriented development diplomacy.

Addressing the Fifth Edition of the Prof. Yadunath Khanal Lecture Series organized by the ministry, Khanal said Nepal’s diplomatic missions are increasingly focused on economic diplomacy, trade promotion, investment, tourism, technology partnerships, and market access, stressing that foreign policy must ultimately serve the people’s welfare and prosperity.

Khanal said intensifying geopolitical competition, shifting supply chains, critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy are reshaping global power dynamics, presenting both challenges and opportunities for countries like Nepal. While noting that the multilateral system is under growing pressure, he said new opportunities for cooperation, connectivity, technology, and economic partnerships are also emerging, underscoring the need for Nepal’s foreign policy to adapt while remaining firmly anchored in the national interest.