Koshi Province Minister accused of violating diplomatic protocols on Japan visit

Kathmandu, November 4 — "Concerns are being raised over ministers’ unapproved foreign trips, leading citizens to feel that federalism has become a burden." Nepali Congress youth wing (Nepal Tarun Dal) central committee member Netra Paudel commented on social media about a minister from Koshi Province reportedly visiting Japan without proper authorization. He questioned whether ministers should obtain approval from the Cabinet before traveling abroad and whether there are any ethical standards for ministers in their province.

Leader Wasim Alam, a central committee member of the Unified Socialist Party, echoed these sentiments, noting that ministers should seek approval from the federal government before any foreign visits.

With the publication of these statements on Facebook, it has come to light that Lilaballav Adhikari, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Law for Koshi Province, may have violated diplomatic protocols during his trip to Japan. The established procedure requires ministers to obtain agreement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Prime Minister's Office before traveling, along with the necessary Cabinet approvals.

Reports indicate that Minister Adhikari did not inform Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki about his trip. He left for Japan on October 29, intending to attend a specific event, but returned early upon learning that the event would not take place.

Adhikari confirmed his trip, clarifying that it was personal. He stated, “There was an event, and I attended a Tokyo Metropolitan event—not as a government representative but personally to meet friends and family.” He also mentioned returning early due to a lack of time to complete the necessary processes for an official trip.

He admitted he hadn’t yet formally informed the Chief Minister about his travel plans, calling it a "natural" oversight.

In September 2022, the federal Cabinet had issued directives tightening the rules for foreign travel by ministers and staff, stating that prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is mandatory before any official visits.

These directives emphasize that no officials should be nominated for foreign trips based solely on personal invitations and that any meetings with foreign diplomats or international representatives must also be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This includes obtaining the federal Ministry of Finance's consent for any financial aid-related activities.