Kathmandu, Aug. 20 -- Nepal's diplomatic missions abroad are struggling with staff shortages as the number of Nepalis living, working and studying overseas continues to rise. This has increased pressure on consular services and limited the missions' ability to pursue broader diplomatic and economic goals.

The government has repeatedly pledged to strengthen its missions to promote exports, bilateral trade and investment, tourism and economic diplomacy. But missions in countries with rapidly growing Nepali communities say they lack the personnel and resources to deliver even routine services efficiently, let alone pursue those wider objectives.

Japan offers one of the starkest examples.

Nepal opened its embassy in Tokyo in 1965, when rou...