Interaction with Think Tank members

FIPMO organized an interaction programme for members on 11 March 2015 at the Institute of Crisis Management Studies, Dhumbarahi. Speakers were Mr. Himalaya Rana, Patron and Life member of FIPMO, Mr. Madhu Raman Acharya, a former Foreign Secretary and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Mr. Balananda Sharma, a former force commander of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and Principal of the Institute of Crisis Management Studies. All three speakers are members of recently formulated Think Tank of former Special Class Officers of the Government of Nepal.
Mr. Himalaya Rana, who heads the Economy and Infrastructure group in the Think Tank, outlined his views on the need to focus on various type of infrastructure such as highways, roadways, and feeder road; cableway; hydropower etc., and sought the opinion of FIPMO members on any other area that need special attention. Members present opined that the infrastructure need to be integrated, policies should not be contradictory, and public procurement policy needs to be revised to foster results orientation. The members also highlighted that infrastructures need to include ‘soft’ infrastructure that are essential for development – from closely linked support structure such as electricity transmission lines, telecommunications and informational technology, to educated and healthy human resources.
Mr. Madhu Raman Acharya, who heads the Foreign Policy group in the Think Tank, highlighted some of the challenges of the foreign policy, such as managing external interference, enabling the observance of diplomatic code of conduct, a systematic basis for diplomatic representation, and benefitting from multilateral organizations. He pointed out that there is a need to look at the foreign policy in the context of the federal structure in the new constitution. The federal structure is likely to raise new issues, not confronted so far. Some of those issues include constituent diplomacy, external representation in states, border security issues of multiple states with neighbor, policy for foreign direct investment in states, policy for consensus building among states on dealing with neighbors etc.
Mr. Balananda Sharma shared his experience of peacekeeping and peacemaking outside and inside Nepal. He highlighted the need to have a national security policy, which is in the process of making.
Dr. Suresh R. Sharma, General Secretary of FIPMO, spoke about the purpose and the activities of FIPMO; Chairman Mr. Bhim Udas introduced the distinguished speakers; and Vice Chair Chandni Joshi offered a vote to thanks to the speakers and the participants