After failing to introduce diplomatic code of conduct, the government has instructed all government ministries and agencies to seek consent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on matters pertaining to Nepal’s foreign relations.

The Foreign Ministry had repeatedly called on for the early approval of diplomatic code of conduct. However, the Cabinet is yet to endorse it due to reservations from successive governments, according to officials, hence the draft is gathering dust at the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the government has, through a recent Cabinet decision, has made it mandatory for all ministries and agencies that they seek consent-as well as opinion—from the Foreign Ministry on matters pertaining to Nepal’s external relations.

After repeated attempts to endorse the diplomatic code of conduct failed, the government has come up with this decision “to divert criticism”, the officials said.

With an objective of conducting official meetings, contacts, negotiations and communications of the government of Nepal with foreign governments, international organisations, their representatives and other officials in a more systematic and dignified manner consistent with diplomatic norms and international practices, the then government in 2011 had introduced diplomatic code of conduct. But it was later made non-functional “in the name of amendments and changes”, said the officials. 

Similarly, the government has also made new arrangements for concurrent accreditation, and the Foreign Ministry has already changed the new accreditation system in the line with the Cabinet decision. The matter of accreditation keeps on changing, said the officials.  This will enable Nepali missions, inter alia, to take active part in day-to-day work of almost all international and regional organisations including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund among others, said Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi. 

The Council of Ministers has endorsed procurement procedures applicable to the purchase of property by Nepali missions abroad as per the provisions of the recently amended Procurement Act. With this decision, Nepali missions abroad can purchase land and building required for the missions as majority of the Nepali missions are running their offices from rented buildings.