On October 7, when Hamas militants made a surprise attack on Israel, the entire world condemned the killings of innocent people. Rallying behind the rest of the world, the Nepal government that evening issued a statement and condemned the Hamas raid into Israel by breaching the border fence separating the Gaza Strip.

“The government of Nepal strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Israel today that caused loss of precious human lives and injured many more,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 7. “At this critical hour, we convey our solidarity with the government of Israel.”

But is that position of Nepal shifting? Going by the recent interview of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal with the Russian news agency TASS on Nepal’s position on the war between Israel and Hamas—the Islamic militants whose cause is also associated with Palestine—Nepal seems to stand with the Palestinian cause.

“At the same time, on the world stage, we support the oppressed, those who deserve independence. We support Palestine, we have always supported the Palestinians, and at the session of the UN General Assembly I tried to convince the world community that both Israel and Palestine, both states should be recognised by the international community,” Dahal said.

“As Marxists and Communists, we have also achieved a certain mutual understanding with countries of socialist orientation.”

During the voting in the United Nations, Nepal condemned the attack against Israel and later supported a nonbinding vote calling for a truce between Israel and Hamas due to growing human casualties in Gaza. Nepal also supported the recent truce between Israel and Hamas and was in favour of opening the humanitarian corridor in Gaza.

Issuing a statement after the truce and exchange of hostages between Israel and Hamas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on November 7: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal considers the release of two hostages in Gaza as a positive development. The ministry commends the diplomatic efforts of the State of Qatar and others involved in securing the release.”

The ministry also called on the conflicting parties to release Bipin Joshi, a Nepali citizen who has gone missing since October 7.

In his interview to the Russian news agency, the prime minister also talked about the nonalignment as a basis of Nepal’s foreign policy.

“We strive for a balance in foreign policy in the direction of India and China, based on the interests of our independence and ensuring the basic needs of our people,” said Dahal. “We continue to adhere to the policy of independence and non-alignment.”

Asked about Nepal’s position between India and China and how Nepal is building its relations with these states, taking into consideration the complex nature of their relations with each other, the prime minister said: “Two months ago I visited India and found a good understanding with its leadership there. Then I was in China, Beijing, where I also met the understanding of the Chinese leadership. Then I was at the session of the UN General Assembly in the USA, and there we tried to achieve a better understanding of issues related to the development of Nepal. That is, we strive for a balance in foreign policy.”

The prime minister described Nepal’s location between the Asian giants India and China as a “very sensitive geopolitical situation”.

“Certain contradictions are observed between China and the United States, China and India. Even India and the USA can see the regional situation in South Asia differently. Very complex processes are taking place here,” said the prime minister. “For our part, we adhere to progressive nationalism, we adhere to socialist ideas. Based on the situation that has developed in the 21st century, we cannot follow the fanatical, dogmatic path defined in the 20th century. We must change in accordance with the changes in the world. We must analyse the situation in the world and learn from it. Now we need a new strategy, a new policy and a new vision.”

The prime minister also shared his experience about how the Maoist movement started in Nepal, how it joined mainstream politics, how there was a shift from monarchy to republicanism, the rise of the USSR and its fall and division in 1990.

Speaking on Nepal-Russia relations, the prime minister said, historically, the relations between Russia and Nepal are of mutual understanding and good partnership at various levels.

Hundreds of Nepali students studied in Russia and have made a great contribution to the development of Nepal, he said.

“You [Russia] have provided great assistance in the creation of infrastructure and modernisation of agriculture, and in other areas, both during the Soviet period and later. There are no problems between our countries.”

What concerns Nepal is the not-yet-fully-realised potential of economic partnership and transport connectivity, said Dahal.

“I discussed this issue with Russian Ambassador to Nepal Alexey Novikov and we talked about how to create an atmosphere for economic cooperation, and ensure connectivity first of all. This concerns air connectivity, the restoration of direct flights from Russia to Nepal. We also discussed other areas of economic cooperation, cooperation in education, agriculture, and infrastructure projects.”

The prime minister said there is the potential for direct flights between Kathmandu and Russia. “After the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, some countries see difficulties in relations with Russia, but in our case there are no problems,” Dahal said. “I also want to say that we feel the need for a high-level visit.”

“I will be glad to see Vladimir Putin in Nepal. At the same time, I am ready to go to Russia myself,” said Dahal.

Asked about Nepal’s attitude to Western sanctions against a number of countries, including Russia, the prime minister said: “This is a sensitive issue for us. We remain faithful to the policy of non-alignment; we stand for the solution of all problems peacefully through negotiations. We understand both the position of the West and the approaches of Russia, as well as the Chinese point of view. But speaking for one side against the other is a difficult issue for Nepal due to our geopolitical location and the general socio-economic situation.”