Foreign policy: Aspirations and realities

Politicians raise the border encroachment issue rather than take the necessary steps to remedy the problem.

Balancing aspirations and realities are key tests of sound foreign policy. If aspirations override realities or the limitations of a country, then foreign policy strategies tend to give rise to jingoistic nationalism under which the power elite take refuge for survival and continuity in power. But realities are also contextual as time and environment need to be adjusted to the changing realities. It is more so for a small and landlocked country like Nepal whose manoeuvrability is low because of the geography which continues as a determining factor in foreign policy.