Nepal, April 9 -- RSP is off to a spirited start, but must not revert to patronage-driven politics Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday broke tradition and met with 17 foreign envoys collectively, a move that was a notable departure from how his predecessors operated.

Shah had already set himself apart by talking less, listening more, and delegating to trusted friends. But by meeting all ambassadors at one go in the presence of the Foreign Ministry, he signalled a paradigm shift in how he wants Nepal to be seen: no longer just balancing India and China, but as a country confident about its strategic importance and place in the world.

In just two weeks, the RSP has sprung into action on multiple fronts to implement its ambitious 10...