ISAS Special Reports

This Special Report examines how Nepal can navigate a changing global order while preserving strategic autonomy. Drawing on an expert roundtable convened in Kathmandu on 3 June 2025 by ISAS, Nepal Economic Forum and its platform, the Himalayan Future Forum, it explores Nepal’s strategic position between India and China and the need for more flexible diplomacy as geopolitical competition intensifies.

The report highlights Nepal’s potential sources of leverage, including its diaspora, youthful population and Himalayan position, and argues that stronger institutions, diversified partnerships and proactive diplomacy can enhance its strategic agency.