Coming to the 21st century, the definition of national security has widened. Now the national security does not only mean security by army and police but also comprises a lot of other issues. Media initiative for rights, equity and social transformation (MIREST Nepal) organized a discussion program at the Himalayan Hotel, Lalitpur on July 1, 2011 to discuss the national security dynamics of Nepal’s foreign policy to be incorporated in the new constitution.


Suresh Acharya, chairperson of MIREST Nepal, said, “Nation’s security and needs have changed over the years. Globalization, new economic forces, development in IT, and migration have changed the dynamics of national security. Political parties are influenced by foreign countries so there is a need to define national security from a new angle.”


Relating to the data released by the Home Ministry, Hiranya Lal Shrestha, former ambassador to Russia, said,”From 126 armed groups the number has decreased to 26 but still armed groups are not abolished and possess a huge threat to the nation’s security.”


Amidst the program, Puskarman Singh RajBhandari, former Ambassador to Pakistan and general secretary of association of career Ambassadors to Nepal, stated the need of  atomic energy commission to check the inflow of radioactive elements from the neighboring nuclear nations and to avoid mass destruction in case of nuclear leakage from these nations.


Ranadhoj Limbu, retired Brigadier General of Nepal Army said core national interests like foreign policy, economic policy, federation issues, and Terai issues should be clearly stated in the new constitution.


“Citizen’s security is national security,” said Dr. Bhekh Bdr. Thapa, former foreign minister.


Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, former foreign minister, stated security threat does not come from outside the border, he said, “Almost 99% of armed conflict are intra-state not inter-state so we should continue having an open border.”


By Debesh Adhikari