Government to Mobilise Soft Power, Give Form to "Once a Nepali, Always a Nepali"

Kathmandu — Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has announced various plans and programmes for the soft power and diaspora sector through the budget.

Wagle said the government will mobilise soft power for economic prosperity while strengthening balanced foreign relations based on mutual benefit, national self-respect, and sovereign interest. He said Nepal's international presence, credibility, and influence will be expanded through the integrated use of economic diplomacy, cultural identity, technology, and tourism.

The Finance Minister said Nepal's role in the United Nations and other multilateral and regional forums will be strengthened, and robust diplomacy will be advanced for regional proximity.

He said Nepal will carry out advanced promotion of subjects such as being the birthplace of the Buddha, the highest peak Sagarmatha, the Himalayan range, yoga and meditation, cultural diversity, its image as a peace-loving nation, and its participation in international peace missions, to expand the country's soft power.

Wagle said economic diplomacy will be strengthened to promote export capacity, bilateral trade and investment, and tourism by empowering Nepali missions abroad.

The Finance Minister said the provision on "Non-Resident Nepali citizenship" guaranteed by the constitution will be amended in a timely manner to give concrete form to the slogan "Once a Nepali, always a Nepali." He said Non-Resident Nepalis will be granted all kinds of economic, social, and cultural rights and included in the main campaign of nation-building.