Paper short abstract:

The paper examines the dynamics of engagement of powerful foreign bilateral actors in Nepal's armed conflict and post-conflict political transition and their impacts in state building and foreign policy.

Paper long abstract:

The paper examines the dynamics of engagement of influential foreign bilateral actors (especially US, India, China, UK, Switzerland, and Germany) and European Union in Nepal's armed conflict and post-conflict political transition and their impacts in state building and foreign policy. While examine the dynamics of engagement, the paper will look on the arguments (human rights, humanitarian issues democracy, peace and development) of foreign actors. The paper will specifically examine the two aspects, i.e. their engagement at the time of armed conflict, and post peace agreement period. As some of the activities of the foreign actors were sharply criticized by media, academics, civil society and political parties referring as interference in the domestic politics, this paper will also examine the responses of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal on certain issues of foreign engagement specifically contested at public. The paper concludes that domination of foreign engagement in state's peace policies is inevitable but it can be manage amicably through concerted efforts of civil society, government, political parties and foreign diplomatic mission for the mutual benefits of both parties.