Dr. Pratyush Nath Upreti

For a small Himalayan state with an ancient civilisation and no experience of foreign subjugation, Nepal has had more than its fair share of internal political upheavals. In the latter part of the twentieth century, this history was complemented by a diverse set of interactions with the United Nations and the regimes negotiated under its auspices. These interactions with the outside world and international law have tended to pursue three objectives: first, asserting and protecting Nepal’s freedom of action and maintaining its own equilibrium vis-à-vis its two larger neighbours, China and India; secondly, economic development; and thirdly, promoting liberal democratic values underpinned by human rights and the rule of law. This chapter will examine this interplay between international law on the one hand and national and international politics on the other. The chapter offers a brief history of Nepal in section 2, before considering the role of the UN in its political transition in s

I n the multilateral trading system, geographical indications (GIs) are much debated. The division about the role of GIs among the developed countries has furthered controversy. Developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) perceive GIs through the lens of sustainable development. Nepal’s economy is predominantly based on agricultural products, but local actors are not able to market products globally. GIs may provide a unique opportunity for the farmers and small-scale producers to promote local heritage globally. Moreover, considering the geo-climatic condition, GIs may represent an excellent opportunity for Nepal. This chapter analyses GIs development in international law and focuses on potential GIs in Nepal. In order to do so, it discusses the rural development potential of Gisin the context of an overview of intellectual property protection in Nepal and the international rules. The chapter concludes with a discussion of GIs prospects in Nepal, and particularly a case study o