Foreign envoys are intensifying meetings with top political leaders as the political parties have begun the homework to form a new government.
With the complete result of the general election announced, foreign interest on the formation of the government has increased rapidly.
The general election failed to provide a clear majority to any party. Thus, a coalition government is certain to be formed.
Neighbors India and China along with superpower United States of America seem invested in understanding the political dynamics related to what kind of coalition will be formed and who will lead the next government.
Occupying a special position in Nepal's foreign affairs, these friendly nations have intensified diplomatic meetings as the parties' dwell on the leadership of the next government.
Lately, Indian and American ambassadors seem active in holding meetings with top leaders of the ruling coalition as well as the opposition.
Indian Ambassador Srivastava met with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba twice in the past one and a half weeks. Interested in understanding the possible power dynamics, Shrivastava met PM Deuba last Saturday as the counting of votes was underway.
Sources informed that the Indian envoy went to New Delhi and returned after having met PM Deuba. It can be understood that New Delhi summoned Srivastava to consult about the possible power equation and the post-election scenario in Nepal.
After concluding his briefing to New Delhi, Srivastava again met PM Deuba. The Indian envoy also met CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' separately and inquired about the government formation.
In the meantime, the five-party alliance decided to give continuity to the incumbent alliance.
Indian Ambassador Srivastava also met with the CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli last Wednesday and inquired about UML strategy in post-election scenario.
Sources claimed representatives of Indian intelligence agencies also met PM Deuba, Prachanda and Oli separately. However, the claims are yet to be independently verified.
Indian Ambassador Srivastava is also acquiring information regarding the emergent Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and its foreign affairs stance with party leaders, government employees and the civil society.
Nihar Nayak, who is affiliated with Integrated Defense Staff (IDS), a think tank under Indian Ministry of Defense, said India was closing tracking political moves focused on government formation in Nepal following the election results.
Acknowledging the ruling coalition's recent decision of continuing the alliance, he added India got along well with the current ruling coalition. "So far, it seems that this current alliance will continue. This alliance is also comfortable for India," Nayak told Nepalkhabar on telephone.
Likewise, American ambassador Dean R. Thompson also met Maoist Center Chairman Prachanda last Wednesday and Prime Minister Deuba the next day on Thursday.
In both meetings, the United States (US) envoy shared interest about potential power equation in post-election Nepal.
A source close to PM Deuba told Nepalkhabar that US Ambassador Thompson expressed curiosity about the timeframe of the new government formation.
Thompson also met Chairman of ruling CPN (Unified Socialist) Party Madhav Kumar Nepal on Thursday.
Neighboring China is also equally interested in Nepal's election, its results and the formation of a new government. Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal Wang Xin expressed interest in the election by penning an article in Gorkhapatra and The Rising Nepal before the elections.
He said in the article, "The federal and state elections to be held will have a significant impact on the political, economic and social development of Nepal in the future. I wish that this election will be completed successfully and the journey of building a prosperous Nepal will continue through the formation of a new government."
In the article, he expressed his belief that "the friendship between China and Nepal will always be as high as Mount Everest" regardless of changes in international and regional sphere.
Apart from India, China and America, envoys of other countries are also interested in government formation in Nepal.
A few days ago, Swiss Ambassador Elizabeth von Capeller met with Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi and inquried about government formation and the future strategy of his party.
