Pokhara, 27 March| Shishir Khanal, the Foreign Department Chief of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has assumed office as Nepal’s Foreign Minister, bringing with him a blend of academic expertise, policy experience, and organizational leadership. Alongside his role as a central secretariat member, Khanal has also been actively involved in the party’s tourism department, reflecting his multi-sector engagement within the party structure.
Khanal, aged 47, previously served as Nepal’s Minister for Education, Science and Technology in January 2023. His return to the cabinet in a more strategic portfolio such as foreign affairs is seen as a continuation of his policy-oriented political career. With growing expectations on Nepal’s diplomatic engagements, his leadership is anticipated to focus on strengthening institutional effectiveness and international cooperation.
Academically, Khanal holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States and a bachelor’s degree in international political economy from a university in Baghdad. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in governance, global economics, and policy analysis, all of which are relevant to modern diplomacy.
Before entering politics full-time, Khanal was actively engaged in social service and educational initiatives. Between 2005 and 2012, he worked with the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, a community development and volunteer-based initiative operating in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the United States. His involvement in this movement exposed him to grassroots development and international collaborative practices.
He later co-founded Teach For Nepal, a prominent organization focused on improving community education. From 2012 to 2019, Khanal played a leadership role in the organization, including serving as its Chief Executive Officer. In addition to his work in education, he contributed to policy-related initiatives such as the Nitisala program implemented in Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City in Dang between 2023 and 2025.
Politically, Khanal is a two-time elected Member of Parliament from Kathmandu-6, securing his seat in the most recent election held on February 21. During his campaign, he emphasized good governance, economic development, infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and the welfare of Nepali citizens abroad.
According to the RSP’s election manifesto, the party aims to depoliticize diplomacy by preventing it from becoming a space for political patronage. It has also proposed implementing a performance audit system to evaluate the effectiveness of diplomatic missions. Additionally, the party plans to establish a central response unit within the foreign ministry to provide round-the-clock assistance to Nepali citizens living abroad.
The manifesto further highlights a shift toward economic diplomacy by increasing the number of economic consular officers in key trading partner countries to promote exports, tourism, and foreign investment.
With his experience in governance, education, and international relations, Khanal is expected to play a pivotal role in reshaping Nepal’s diplomatic approach. His appointment comes at a time when expectations are high for more structured, transparent, and results-driven foreign policy management.
