Nepal’s Cabinet has recommended 13 individuals for ambassadorial positions in India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom and nine other countries, beginning the process of filling several key diplomatic posts.

The recommendations were made at a Cabinet meeting on September 18, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The nominees include foreign-policy specialists, economists, security experts, development professionals, academics and a former army chief.

The recommendations do not constitute final appointments. The nominees must receive approval from the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, while the respective receiving countries must also grant formal consent, known as agrément, before appointments can proceed.

Pandey proposed for India

Nischal Nath Pandey has been recommended as Nepal’s ambassador to India.

Pandey is a foreign-policy scholar and director of the Centre for South Asian Studies. He previously served as executive director of Nepal’s Institute of Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 2006 and has advised the government on matters including foreign policy, tourism and civil aviation.

The India posting is particularly significant for Nepal because of the two countries’ extensive economic, social, political and people-to-people links.

Economist proposed for China

Kalyan Raj Sharma has been proposed as ambassador to China.

Sharma is described as a Nepal-China affairs specialist and economist. He holds a PhD in economics from Fudan University and chairs the Fudan University Alumni Association of Nepal, the Nepal-China Friendship Forum and the Council of Sinologists-Nepal.

His proposed appointment comes as Nepal continues to manage its relationship with China alongside major issues involving trade, connectivity, infrastructure and cross-border cooperation.

Security specialist proposed for US

Chiran Jung Thapa has been recommended for the United States.

Thapa has experience in national security, international affairs, crisis management and diplomacy. According to the Kathmandu Post, he has advised the Ministry of Defence, National Security Council, Nepal Army and Nepal Police and holds a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University.

The United States remains an important partner for Nepal in areas including development cooperation, disaster assistance, education, trade and diplomatic engagement.

Former army chief proposed for UK

Former Chief of Army Staff Gaurav Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana has been recommended as ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Rana served as army chief from 2012 to 2015 after more than four decades in the Nepali Army. During his tenure, he was involved in the integration of former Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army and the military response following the 2015 earthquake.

Other ambassadorial recommendations

The government has also recommended the following candidates:

• Jigyan Kumar Thapa — Japan

• Suresh Kumar Karna — Israel

• Prapti Sherchan — Spain

• Sharu Joshi — Germany

• Padmakshi Rana — Oman

• Chudamani Kharel — Malaysia

• Sangam Shrestha — South Korea

• Manchala Jha — Sri Lanka

• Giri Bahadur Sunar — Saudi Arabia

The nominees come from a range of professional backgrounds. Thapa has worked on Nepal-Japan relations and bilateral exchanges, while Karna has experience in information technology and banking. Sherchan has worked in international development and inclusive finance.

Sharu Joshi has more than two decades of experience in areas including labour migration, gender equality and international cooperation and previously worked with UN Women. Padmakshi Rana is a development and entrepreneurship specialist and co-founder of Impact Hub Kathmandu.

Sangam Shrestha is an academic and water-security specialist who teaches at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. Manchala Jha previously served on Nepal’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, while Giri Bahadur Sunar has worked in social inclusion, gender equality and climate adaptation.

Chudamani Kharel has experience in education and public administration and has also held leadership positions in Nepal’s sports administration.

Appointments still require further steps

The Cabinet’s decision begins rather than completes the ambassadorial appointment process.

Under the process outlined by the government, the nominees must first go through parliamentary hearings. Once approved, the appointments also require agrément from the governments of the countries where they are proposed to serve.

Nepal’s Foreign Ministry had earlier opened a formal recommendation process for ambassadorial candidates in 2026, inviting qualified Nepali citizens to apply or recommend candidates for diplomatic missions. The ministry's application notice said ambassadors are expected to advance Nepal's foreign-policy objectives, protect national interests and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations.

The latest recommendations therefore represent an important stage in Nepal’s effort to establish diplomatic representation in several key partner countries, while the final appointments remain subject to the required constitutional and diplomatic procedures.