Monalisa Adhikari on Revisiting the Non-Alignment Movement in a Changing World Order

02/21/25 • 38 min

In a world of shifting power dynamics and the fading influence of multilateral forums, critical questions arise on how they can help effectively navigate global conflicts and uphold the independence of member nations.

In this episode, Shuvangi and Mona explore the Non-Aligned Movement, from its historical significance to contemporary relevance and impact. They debate Nepal's non-alignment stance versus India's strategic autonomy, questioning whether it ensures independence or limits engagement. They examine NAM's role and Nepal's diplomatic balance between democratic values and diverse global ties.

Dr Monalisa Adhikari is a Senior Lecturer in International Politics at the University of Stirling. Her research focuses on emerging powers in global governance, the foreign policies of India and China, and peacebuilding norms in Asia. She is currently working on a book examining Indian and Chinese approaches to peacebuilding and co-investigates the Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform (PeaceREP) project.

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Previous Episode

Suman Basnet on Reviewing Nepal's Rapid Rural Electrification Achievements

In this episode, Shreeya and Suman explore the transformative journey of rural electrification in Nepal, highlighting its evolution, and impact. They also examine the challenges of equitable access, energy reliability, and integration of diverse models. Reflecting on the broader implications, they consider how lessons from Nepal’s experience can inspire sustainable development and inclusive energy transitions worldwide.

Suman is a hydropower, renewable energy and management professional with over 37 years' experience in the development and private sectors. He is currently the Team Leader at the Nepal Renewable Energy Programme, a Government of Nepal Programme supported by the UK Government.

His research assesses the rapid acceleration of electricity access in rural Nepal since the early 2000s, identifying key factors that contributed to this phenomenon. The study emphasizes that while Nepal has made significant progress, there remains a critical need to address energy justice, ensuring greater geographical and economic equity in the country’s electrification efforts.

If you liked the episode, hear more from us through our free newsletter services, PEI Substack: Of Policies and Politics ( ⁠⁠https://policyentre.substack.com/welcome⁠⁠ ), and click here ( ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/podsbypei⁠⁠ ) to support us on Patreon!!

Next Episode

Project Sambaad Bhaag Dui: On the Evolution of Nepali Civil Society: Co-Opted or Still Catalyzing Change?

In this Sambaad, speakers Nisha Onta, Anaya Bhadra Khanal, and Dinesh Gautam dive into the evolving landscape of Nepali civil society—its identity crisis, growing fragmentation, and shifting role from political activism to policy influence. They discuss the rise of think tanks, the challenges of donor dependence, and the need for greater collaboration in a sector grappling with internal divisions and external pressures.

This is a live recording of the panel discussion at Project Sambaad.

Project Sambaad is a collaborative platform that promotes in-depth conversations that critically examine Nepali society and its policy-making space. Through Project Sambaad, PEI and like-minded organizations seek to explore broad, impactful questions that contribute to a wider dialogue on the politics and development of Nepal and the South Asia region.

Just a quick heads-up—this is a live recording of the conversation, so the audio quality might not always be perfect. This episode starts off a bit disturbed but evens out soon enough. Also, you'll hear a mix of Nepali and English throughout the conversation—hope you enjoy!!