The Constitution of Nepal (2015) constitutionalizes foreign policy — a distinctive feature to highlight. The Foreign Policy of Nepal (2077/2020), the first consolidated policy document of its kind, organizes the constitutional material:
National interest (constitutional basis): safeguarding the freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, nationality, independence and dignity of Nepal, the rights of the Nepali people, border security, and economic wellbeing and prosperity are the basic elements of Nepal's national interest.
Directive principle (Article 50): the State shall direct its international relations towards enhancing the dignity of the nation in the world community, by maintaining international relations on the basis of sovereign equality, while safeguarding freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national interest.
State policy (Article 51(g) — the foreign policy clause): conducting an independentforeign policy based on the Charter of the United Nations, non-alignment, the principlesof Panchasheel, international law and the norms of world peace, considering the overall national interest and remaining active in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national interest; and reviewing past treaties and making treaties and agreements on the basis of equality and mutual interest.
The Panchasheel (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) — Nepal's standing vocabulary, shared with India and China: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; non- aggression; non-interference in internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; peaceful coexistence.
The Foreign Policy of Nepal (2077 BS / 2020 AD) — adopted by the Government of Nepal as the first unified foreign policy document: its fundamental objective is to enhance the dignity of the nation by safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and promoting the economic wellbeing and prosperity of Nepal, while contributing to global peace, harmony and security. Its guiding principles: mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty; non- interference in internal affairs; mutual equality; non-aggression and peaceful settlement of disputes; cooperation for mutual benefit; abiding faith in the UN Charter; and the value of world peace. Its strategic emphases to remember: economic diplomacy as the central vehicle (remittances, trade, investment, tourism, education, hydropower), balanced relations with both neighbours, constitutional provision-based treaty review (the 1950 treaty question), diaspora engagement, Nepal's brand as the birthplace of the Buddha and land of Everest, and the "amity with all, enmity with none" orientation. The Policy's own logic: foreign policy as servant of the national ambition to graduate from LDC status and become a prosperous, self-reliant state.