Federalism in Nepal: From National Security Perspective

Abstract

The promotion and protection of national security have been a core national interest of every state. The issue of national interest becomes more crucial at a time of restructuring process, survival, and competition in the global politics. As a state building process, Nepal is in the nascent phase of administering the federal system after promulgation of the fifth time amended Interim Constitution of Nepal 2008, which is later replaced by the Constitution of Nepal 2015. There has been significant development in the political system, institutional arrangements of the state and national security-related governing bodies, policies, and priorities. However, in comparison to a great and emerging power, Nepal experiences more security risks and challenges to protect national security due to more economic interdependence, and limited military power intertwined with geographical positioning which attracts the interest and repercussion of immediate neighbours and rivalry powers. Whilst the existing internal threats also threaten, fragment and challenge the management, regulation, and protection of security. In this landscape, this research aims to study the national security strategies enshrined by the adopted constitution of Nepal 2015 and safeguarded by the foreign policy of federal Nepal. Through thematic analysis, it critically examines methods of promotion of national security and then explores potential challenges that emerged while practicing the federal system. Finally, this paper discusses suggestions or recommendations regarding how the national security of Nepal can be achieved, safeguarded, and promoted by mitigating and managing the security risk and challenges. Key words: National security, federalism, small state, great power, and asymmetric dependence.