Prime Minister Sušīlā Kārkī, who also holds the portfolio of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has recalled 11 Nepali ambassadors back to the Ministry after one and a half months. However, there remains uncertainty over whether they will receive their salaries and allowances.
Out of the 11, six ambassadors have resigned, and their resignations have been accepted. The remaining five ambassadors continue to report to the Ministry, but the issue of how their salaries and allowances will be paid remains unresolved. The Ministry has proposed cutting foreign allowances and providing only the basic salary, creating confusion. Even though the Supreme Court’s interim order complicates matters, the Prime Minister recalled the ambassadors to report to the Ministry, though their actual work is limited to attending office.
Background
- On 30 Ashoj 2082, the Cabinet decided to recall all 11 ambassadors simultaneously.
- According to Nepal Foreign Service Regulations, 2068 (Rule 19), ambassadors are entitled to salaries and other allowances as determined by the Government of Nepal, based on the host country’s cost-of-living index.
- Ambassador Appointment Directives, 2075 further clarify that ambassadors receive salaries from the date they report to their post, and foreign allowances are provided as per government rules. Provisions state that if an ambassador is on leave for more than 30 consecutive days, foreign allowances for that period are not given.
Recalled Ambassadors
The 11 recalled ambassadors included:
- Krishna Prasad Oli (China)
- Shail Rupakheti (Germany)
- Durgabahadur Suvedi (Japan) – retired Secretary
- Dhan Prasad Pandit (Israel)
- Netra Prasad Timsina (Malaysia)
- Ramesh Chandra Paudel (Qatar)
- Jang Bahadur Chauhan (Russia)
- Dr. Naresh Bikram Dhakal (Saudi Arabia)
- Chandrakumar Ghimire (UK)
- Lok Darshan Regmi (USA)
- Shanil Nepal (Spain)
- Ambassadors who have resigned: Chandrakumar Ghimire, Krishna Prasad Oli, Ramesh Chandra Paudel, Lok Darshan Regmi, Jang Bahadur Chauhan, and Netra Prasad Timsina.
- The others continue to report at the Ministry.
Legal Complications
- Following the Cabinet decision, the Supreme Court issued an interim order on 16 Kartik 2082, halting the recall.
- As a result, the ambassadors remained in their respective countries. On 17 Kartik 2082, PM Kārkī recalled them to report to the Ministry.
- On 1 Mangsir 2082, an contempt case was filed against PM Kārkī, alleging that the recall violated the Supreme Court’s interim order. The Court has asked her to submit written reasons for her actions.
The situation continues to be uncertain, particularly regarding the payment of foreign allowances and the ambassadors’ official duties while reporting at the Ministry.
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