Nepal, June 5 -- The government has finally decided to throw ambassadorial posts open to public competition. First of all, I want to caution that diplomacy should not be made into an experimental lab. It is full of risks if not managed carefully. The government thinks it marks a break from tradition where, for years, embassies were seen as parking lots for political cadres and retired bureaucrats. The new policy encourages those with merit and diplomatic skills to apply.

We must know that diplomats are not born but are made through training, exposure and years of experience in the diplomatic field. It is an art and technique requiring sharp analytical insight into the contemporary international relations management complexities and the a...