The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Harsh Reminder to Nepal that Belligerent Powers Can Threaten Its Sovereignty

In March 2022, the General Assembly of the United Nations held a vote to condemn Russia and withdraw Russian forces from Ukraine. The Ukrainian ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya urged the members to vote in favor of Ukraine by claiming that Russia’s invasion is not just an occupation of Ukraine but a “genocide.”  In response, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, asked to “vote against the resolution and said Western powers were exerting pressure on other countries to vote in favor of it.” Russia believed that a nation that went against the resolution demonstrated commitment to its alliance with Russia, while countries that vote in support of the resolution were responding to pressures from their Western allies. Ukraine gained the support of 141 countries, while only Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, and Syria voted in favor of Russia. The vote symbolized widespread support against Russia’s disruptive role in the international order and its intent to impede the sovereignty of independent nations. It showed commitment to holding Russia accountable for its actions and ensuring Ukraine’s existence. 

The current Russian invasion of Ukraine is not occurring in a vacuum. In an increasingly globalized world where actions have a widespread impact and reactions, the Russo-Ukrainian conflict remains a global problem. The issue has gathered reactions from the international community whether they are positive or negative and has shifted the foreign policy of nations that previously had a friendly and neutral position, one of them being Nepal. Nepal’s foreign policy has relied on the notions of neutrality and non-alignment with extensive independent bilateral ties with countries like China, the United States, and Russia, but the current state of affairs in Eastern Europe has evoked a response from Nepal as well. Nepal was one of the 141 countries that opposed Russia’s actions and stood in solidarity with Ukraine.

Nepal has enjoyed a cordial relationship with Russia since 1956 and granted diplomatic recognition to the Russian Federation on December 28, 1991, when the Soviet Union crumbled. Russia has also shown interest in Nepal’s hydropower potential and wants to invest in Nepal’s energy sector. Putin has claimed that Moscow and Kathmandu are expected to work together in the “energy, metallurgy, infrastructure, and civil aviation sectors.” Russia and Nepal are also trading partners, with trade between them standing at $9.1 million in 2018. Russia has committed to holding a cooperative tie with Nepal will their relationship dating back to mid 20th century and Russia’s willingness to invest in Nepal. Of course, Nepal’s condemnation is a result of Russia’s action against Ukraine a violation of many norms and international laws. While Bangladesh, India, China, and Pakistan abstained from voting, Nepal outwardly went against Russia’s actions. Nepal’s deviation from its foreign policy is also indicative of the need to set a precedent for the protection of small sovereign nations from attacks from powerful belligerent nations. Russia’s actions serve as a powerful reminder to smaller countries that their sovereignty can be threatened.

Nepal’s geographical position places it between two of the biggest powers in Asia: India and China, who have both grappled to gain influence in Nepal and have a tremendous effect on Nepal’s decision-making processes. Although they are current allies, the disparity of powers in terms of land, economy, military, and geoeconomic powers makes Nepal even more vulnerable to influence and threats from foreign powers. Nischalnath Pandey, the director of the Kathmandu-based Center for South Asian studies, has claimed that because Nepal is a “landlocked country sandwiched between two big powers, it’s natural for Nepal to feel anxious.” This is not to imply that India and China have an immediate objective to mimic Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but India and China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s actions definitely threatens Nepal’s perspective of their relationship with its neighbors.

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