Ministry of Foreign Affairs
History & Institutional Framework

The institution of Nepal's Foreign Office is one of the oldest of its type in Asia. After the unification of Nepal by King Prithivi Narayan Shah, in 1769, an office called Jaishi Kotha was established to look after foreign affairs, especially relations with Tibet and China. That was the first institution dedicated to foreign affairs in Nepal. The name of Jaishi Kotha was changed to "Munshi Khana" during the premiership of Bhimsen Thapa, and Jaishi Kotha was retained as a unit of Munshi Khana.

The "Munshi Khana" continued to retain its name and existence during the whole period of Rana regime, with some reorganization from time to time. It was reorganised by Prime Minister Jang Bahadur Rana into three units: British India Division, Jaishi Kotha, and Munshi Captain's Office. Under Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher Rana, five additional divisions and one associate division were created: Jaishi Kotha, Sadar Amini Goswara, Seema Survey, India–Great Britain Division, Munshi Captain's Office, and Singh Durbar Farmaisi Adda as an associate division.

After 1934, the Munshi Khana was also referred to as Foreign Department in English correspondence. It was upgraded to the level of a Department, and a Director-General was appointed to head it. Correspondence was handled through offices in India and Lhasa: "Alaichi Kothi" in Patna, Vakil Office in Lhasa, Honorary Vakil Office in Benaras, and the Office of the Vakil in Calcutta (later shifted to New Delhi). For over a hundred years of the Rana regime, Nepal had diplomatic relations only with four countries: India, France, Great Britain, and the United States of America.

The political revolution of 1950 was a decisive event. For the first time, an independent Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in 1951. Nepal rapidly established diplomatic relations with the world, became a member of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, gaining full international exposure. Within this decade, countries having diplomatic relations with Nepal reached well over twenty-six.

The post-1960 period saw rapid expansion of the Ministry's activities. Internal work divisions were clearly delineated: UN Division, Europe America Division, North East and South East Asia Division, South Asia Division, Protocol Division and Administration Division. Nepal actively participated in regional and international forums, and as one of the founding members, played a vital role in the establishment of SAARC in 1985, hosting its headquarters in Kathmandu. Nepalese Diplomatic Missions were opened in fifteen countries, and nineteen countries opened embassies in Nepal. The number of countries having diplomatic relations reached around one hundred.

After the restoration of multiparty democracy in 1990, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was reorganized in 1993 to become lean and efficient. A separate "Foreign Service Regulations" created a distinct "Foreign Service Group". The 2nd amendment‑2064 BS of the Nepal Civil Service Act‑2049 BS established a separate Nepal Foreign Service, ensuring specialization and streamlined personnel administration. The Ministry is now manned by over 400 officials, among whom 278 are officials of the Nepal Foreign Service.

The "Institute of Foreign Affairs" was set up in the mid‑1990s to operate in close affiliation with the Ministry. With increased economic diplomacy and consular services to the growing Nepali diaspora, diplomatic presence expanded: currently 44 missions (31 embassies, 3 permanent missions, and 10 consulate generals).

The Ministry is responsible for formulating and implementing Nepal's foreign policy, protecting the rights and interests of Nepalis abroad, and handling passport, consular services, and protocol matters. It coordinates with all relevant government agencies, Nepali missions abroad, and diplomatic missions accredited to Nepal, while consulting private and non‑governmental organizations.