Beginning with the 12-point agreement of 2005, signed in New Delhi, Nepalese political parties have signed several other agreements stressing a number of points to bring about a lasting political stability in the country. However, such stability as sought by Nepal’s political actors and development partners has remained elusive so far. One of the hard realities of Nepal’s politics over the last five decades is that political instability has never gone away for good. Since no previous agreement or political system, whether the absolute monarchy, parliamentary democracy or constitutional monarchy, brought any real respite to the people, we pray this should come as an exception this time. However, given Nepal’s geo-strategic situation, such a respite seems way off on the road. The latest 7-point deal brings to an end a phase of violent politics and paves the way for the promulgation of the new constitution. But one must keep in mind that Nepal’s constitution has nothing to do with Nepal’s political instability. Even if Nepal produced the best constitution, it will face a similar fate as the last six constitutions as long as there is an invisible row between Asia’s two juggernauts.  This week we have decided to look at the various sides of the 7-point deal and its implications to the political process.


Over the last five decades, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) played a key role to uplift the life of the poor Nepalese by working for them in various development activities. From rural electricity to good governance and social inclusion, UNDP worked to cover several important development areas. We have also decided to look at the work by the UN agencies, particularly the UNDP, over these decades of their presence in Nepal.


Keshab Poudel
Editor