KATHMANDU: A group of Nepal’s former ambassadors to China has urged the government to firmly uphold its longstanding commitment to the One-China policy, warning that any perceived departure from the principle could undermine Nepal’s foreign policy credibility and strain relations with Beijing.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, former ambassadors Rajeshwar Acharya, Mahendra Pandey, Tanka Karki, Mahesh Maskey, Leelamani Paudyal, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, and Krishna Prasad Oli expressed serious concern over media reports that the 91th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama was celebrated at Namgyal School in Nagarjun Municipality-2, with representatives of foreign diplomatic missions reportedly in attendance.

The former envoys noted that Nepal has consistently adhered to the One-China policy and repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment not to allow its territory to be used against any friendly country. They also recalled that the same commitment was reiterated during Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s recent visit to China.

Against that backdrop, they questioned whether the latest incident signaled any shift in Nepal’s long-established foreign policy.

The former ambassadors said that if the event had been organized with the knowledge or approval of the government, it could raise questions about Nepal’s commitment to the One-China policy-the cornerstone of Nepal-China relations-and adversely affect the country’s carefully maintained geopolitical balance.

Describing such activities as potentially counterproductive to Nepal’s stability, development, and independence, they urged the government and all concerned parties to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.

They also called on the government to remain sensitive to Nepal’s relations with its neighbors and to continue implementing a foreign policy that safeguards the country’s long-term national interests.