A high-level inter-ministerial panel that was tasked with evaluating plans to see off the Nepali embassies in London and Bonn has recently come out with its recommendations. The report suggests that while the Nepali government should sell the embassy in Bonn, it should hold on to the one in London. We believe that this is the right recommendation.

In reality, there is only one argument for selling off the embassy in London. Those who desire to sell the embassy in London claim that Nepal does not possess the resources necessary for the upkeep of a building that is located in the prime area of South Kensington (the Nepali embassy’s neighbours include, among others, Laxmi Mittal’s family.)

And it is true that the embassy is in a rather dilapidated condition. Furthermore, there are perhaps many in government who desire the financial resources that will be received through the embassy’s sale.

Those who oppose the sale of the embassy argue that the financial burden is not as great as it is made out to be.

The embassy, after all, has been leased to Nepal by the British government at a nominal charge of a thousand pounds per year. This arrangement is currently scheduled to last until 2079. The rent at another space, even in a less impressive location, would certainly amount to much more than a thousand pounds a year. Further, it is argued that the location of the embassy adds much to the prestige of Nepal in the UK. If Nepal shifted its embassy to an inconspicuous building in the far-off suburbs of London, it would lose much of its visibility in the British capital.

In addition, there are fears that proceedings from the sale of the embassy in London will be shared between political leaders and high level officials in Nepal, leaving the state exchequer with an insignificant amount. Given the country’s instability and climate of impunity over the past seven years, this is not an unreasonable fear. At the current moment, there is not even an elected parliament to hold the government accountable. The risk of corruption is therefore very high. This alone is a compelling reason to hold on to the embassy for now.

The inter-ministerial panel’s report suggests that the Nepal government spend Rs 500 million over the next ten years for the maintenance of the embassy. One panel member has stated that this is an unacceptably high sum. But considering the historical importance of the embassy in London, and that of Nepal-UK ties, this is not a too exorbitant sum. The government would do well to go along with the panel’s recommendation and figure out ways in which the London embassy can best be maintained. 

Published on: 4 July 2013 | The Kathmandu Post