Small nation-big nation: Today's world politics is itself unbalanced and in crisis. After the Second World War, until 1990, under the leadership of the United States, new international organizations were established to guide international relations and international norms to govern them. The world was divided into two ideological poles, but the process of building the basis of dialogue and cooperation between these two poles continued.

Amidst this ideological polarization, smaller, weaker countries tried to avoid tensions between the great powers by occupying a space of neutrality. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, the two-polar world led by the United States became almost a unipolar world until 2008  There was a

. The influence of this one polar world was shaken by the financial crisis that arose in the West in 2008, while the rise of China as a powerful nation after 2015 and the increasing influence of similar "BRIC" countries, the one polar world of America is gradually transforming into a multipolar world. 

This reality comes to be clearly reflected in the structure of economic and military expansion of different countries of the world. More importantly, this new world structure has started to develop not on an ideological basis but only on a 'transactional' basis. In this environment, one's own national interest has become more important than ideological thinking and ideological values ​​and recognition. Now the democratic value and recognition is becoming a vessel to show all over the world. In practice, how to improve their interests and ready to do anything for this state of mind has increased. 

The structure of 'international relations within rules and procedures', which was tried to be established after the Second World War, is in crisis. At present, there is a state of mind among nations to accept the international political system if they wish and to be ready to change it if it does not suit their interests. In this perspective, if countries without economic and military power take care of themselves and do not pay attention to national unity and inclusive development, the possibility of suffering a crisis due to the interests of big countries has increased. 

Let's look at the problem of our country in the background of this analysis. The main point is that South Asia has now become a new 'conflict zone' in the clash of national interests of various nations. In terms of geography, there are eight countries (Nepal, India, Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) in this conflict zone, while China and the US are the leaders of Western powers as the countries that have a serious influence in this region. 

India is the largest, most powerful and dynamic economy in South Asia. Traditionally, it has a special interest in its neighborhood as a powerful nation in the region. The history of Indian relations with other small South Asian nations since India's independence has made this clear. However, China has a deep interest in this region due to civilization, border security and development in South Asia. Similarly, in the context of the growing conflict with China, the activity and interest of the US in the countries of this region has increased and this wave will continue in the future.

national interest 

Nepal is not dominant in this region in terms of military or economic power, but it is an important country in terms of geography, natural resources and civilization. As an independent, sovereign nation, Nepal should be aware of its national interests during any kind of change, so it is important that we remain sensitive to the interests of all nations interested in our region and identify a common area of ​​mutual trust and cooperation. 

Now the question arises – how to define national interest? You don't have to go far to find the answer. The first paragraph of the Constitution of Nepal has made many things clear. To be clear, there are four basic elements of national interest in Nepal's relationship with other countries: they are: political interest, economic interest, security interest and cultural interest. 

Our political interest is the protection of the sovereignty, integrity and independence of Nepal. This is the ultimate selfishness. This means that we must remain committed and committed to this goal in our dialogue and relations with our allies. No 'but' or 'if' question should be allowed in it. Our way to achieve this goal is a multi-party democratic political system. 

High economic growth rate and quality inclusive economic development in the economic sector is our goal. This goal should structure and determine economic relations with our allies. Which is now completely ignored. The word security is multifaceted. It has various other aspects like: food security, energy security, diplomatic aspect etc. Guns are not the only protection. In terms of security, our first priority is the security of the Nepali people as a whole. The security provided by the gun is only one aspect of security. 

The ultimate national interest is the expansion of cultural ties. Nepal is a developed country in terms of civilization and heritage. Nepal is the source center of two of the world's four major religions and philosophies (Hinduism and Buddhism). Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is one of the peaks of the World Heritage List in terms of geography. All this is Nepal's soft power and the basis of our deep cultural ties with both India and China. Strengthening it is the expression of our originality and the strength of our dialogue with Western countries. 

National interest is a combination of the four elements mentioned above. In the course of our internal politics and debates, if any element is overshadowed for personal or party interests, it is against the national interest. 

conflict zone management 

We are in the conflict zone. The three dominant players in the region are China, India and the US. In their interest, amicable management from the perspective of Nepal's national interest is the challenge before us. Nepal should not fail in this work. 

Gen-G generation movement has opened up new possibilities to advance national interests in the country. However, all Nepalis should be alert and aware that the sacrifice and struggle of the youth should not be used by any other elements against the national interest of Nepal. Let's discuss the possible approach of other countries to protect our own national interest in this environment. 

When considering the relationship between Nepal and India, we should reach the era of Prithvi Narayan Shah. At that time India was under foreign occupation and Britain was the rising power of the world. However, Prithvi Narayan was stubborn and courageous and aspired to drive the British out of Hindustan. After his death Bahadur Shah continued the expansion of Nepal. But Nepal's struggle with the new technology and capital of the British Empire, which was caught up in court disputes, was unequal.

The Sugauli Treaty was signed and then once during the time of Jung Bahadur, Nepal adopted the policy of living under the British 'umbrella' even though it remained independent. An umbrella policy means that those living under the umbrella have an unannounced ban on going outside the umbrella. If you go outside, you have to go back under the umbrella again. This policy continued even after 2007 and Indian presence in Nepal's cabinet remained for some time. Leaders like Raja Mahendra, BP Koirala and Tank Prasad Acharya challenged the umbrella policy from time to time and Nepal's personality was established on the international stage. However, the policy of blockade also appeared many times as a threat to go beyond the umbrella. 

India's traditional umbrella policy remains in place amid the competition and conflict between India and China. As a neighbor, it is natural for India to be interested in what is happening in Nepal. Also, due to the increasing dependence of Nepal, Nepal is now being established as a major market for India. Apart from this, India is also interested in Nepal's water resources for India's long-term development. However, despite this interest, the work that gave it an unnatural speed was given strength by the theory that Nepal's leading politicians have money, position and power above the country. The reality is that Nepal is diplomatically sensitive and should be able to convince them that they can properly manage such questions while staying within the goal of their national independence and prosperity. Otherwise, every internal struggle/movement within Nepal can be misused by others. 

China is another big friend of Nepal. His interest is definitely his border security, economic relations with Nepal and for that a stable and friendly government in Nepal. For this, China seems to understand that Nepal should maintain good relations with India while being sensitive to China's interests. When King Birendra went to China, as the Foreign Minister, I had the opportunity to attend the King's meeting with the then President of China.

Even at that time, the President had a clear statement - you should maintain good relations with India. In other words, politically, China wants to help Nepal's development, but as a bordering country, it is aware and cautious about the activities inside Nepal. It is a policy of cooperation but caution and vigilance. China's opinion is clear that Nepal should remain a sensitive and reliable friend regarding its relations with China. It has been unfortunate when the politicians of Nepal have tried to limit this notion only to power interests without keeping it in the context of Nepal's national interests. 

Another superpower active in South Asia, seen as a conflict zone, is the United States. America is a close friend of Nepal. America is a strong supporter of Nepal's sovereignty and independence. He has supported Nepal in many areas including physical foundation expansion, education, health, energy. Thousands of Nepalis have been given a chance to start a new life in America, and thousands of Nepali youth have been given the opportunity to study in American universities. However, the American presence in Nepal, which is between China and India, is not only connected with the development of Nepal.

For the past decade, conflict has been getting priority over understanding with China. An established superpower meets another competitor. It is human tendency – those who have established their influence do not like the power to challenge their influence. This character has been seen in world history and the rise and fall of empires. Naturally, on the world political stage, competition between the US and China has increased not only in the economic and technological fields, but also in the field of security, and there has been a decrease in trust.

The major security concerns between the two countries (in Security Daily) are becoming a major part of international relations. In this environment, the activity of entangling each other declared or undeclared is increasing. Nepal, which has a 1,400-kilometer border with China, is becoming a strong candidate in South Asia for the entanglement strategy. Nepal's internal imbalances have encouraged this trend. In this process, political instability and imbalance are increasing in Nepal, this US policy of entangling China in Nepal will flourish. 

Apart from these three countries, Nepal's relations with Japan, European Union, Russia and other countries in the Middle East are necessary and important, but those relations may be less strategic and more related to economic and development. But there is a situation where Nepal has not paid attention to this side as well. 

In South Asia, which is seen as a conflict zone in the whole, India's umbrella policy continues to look at Nepal. China has a policy of cooperation but alertness and vigilance, while the policy of America's cooperation and the possibility of entanglement in a power struggle remains. In some cases, these policies are contradictory to each other, but there is one thing in common - Nepal has a good chance of getting support from all sides as Nepal stabilizes its internal politics and makes the state system effective. However, with chaos in internal politics, widespread corruption and despair in the economy, Nepal will become the battle ground of foreign countries and the definition of Nepal's national interests will be created not by Nepalis, but by foreigners. At that time the country will be an orphan. 

Challenging future: common understanding is essential 

Today, the Zen-G movement in the country has opened the door to the country's revival and national unity. The characters who carry the ego that the state is me or who think of power as a license to loot are in a world that they have never imagined. They are still wandering around to see if anything can be cut. The opportunity to imagine a new Nepal is provided by the soil soaked with the blood of many young sacrifices. 

The coming days are not easy for Nepal, but with the new wind brought by the Gen-G revolution, corruption, misrule and the culture of forgetting the nation for the sake of power, which are increasing in the country due to various reasons, and the inherent pollution are disappearing and there is a possibility of creating a hopeful future for Amnepali. For this, we need a new mantra that we will make Nepal Nepali now together with various political and social forces. Others do not make our country.