Nepal's Parliamentary Hearing Committee on 14 october unanimously endorsed 10 of the government's 13 ambassador nominees. rejected two and put off a decision on one. The two rejected nominees were proposed for Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.
The decisions leave the government to decide how to fill the posts for Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, two countries where many Nepali workers live.
The 10 approvals are not final: the nominees still need the host country's consent, called agrément, and formal appointment.
The committee examined the nominees in hearings and considered complaints about some of them. It rejected both Giri Bahadur Sunar (Saudi Arabia) and Chudamani Kharel (Malaysia) unanimously. It postponed the decision on Jigyan Kumar Thapa (Japan) while it seeks more information about his residency status and professional ties there.
The 10 approved nominees
The approved nominees are: Dr Nischal Nath Pandey for India; Dr Kalyan Raj Sharma for China; Chiran Jung Thapa for the United States; Gaurav Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana for the United Kingdom; Saru Joshi for Germany; Suresh Kumar Karna for Israel; Dr Padmakshi Rana for Oman; Dr Sangam Shrestha for South Korea; Prapti Sherchan for Spain; and Dr Manchala Kumari Jha for Sri Lanka.
Hearings for the postings to India, China, the United States and the United Kingdom raised a range of issues. For India, they included border disputes, trade, connectivity, flood management and airport access.
For China, infrastructure, border trade, exports, transit and how projects under the Belt and Road Initiative are financed. For the United States, aid, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), cybersecurity and disaster management. For the United Kingdom, trade, investment, tourism and the pensions and benefits of Gurkha veterans.
The two rejected nominees
Sunar’s hearing considered a woman’s complaint of alleged harassment, threats and abusive conduct linked to an earlier relationship, including a claim that it continued after police intervention. A separate complaint alleged he was involved in collecting Rs 3.3 million connected to the promotion of a Nepal Police deputy inspector general. Questions were also raised about an alleged deportation from Germany and his political affiliations. Sunar disputed the allegations, asked for evidence and said the claims were exaggerated.
Lawmakers from several parties raised concerns about Kharel’s moral character and financial dealings, according to reports. The allegations included financial irregularities and land dealings, possible conflicts of interest involving recruitment agencies, and payments allegedly linked to promises of grants or projects. Kharel denied wrongdoing and said false information had been circulated about him.
Why the Japan decision was delayed
Lawmakers asked whether Thapa’s Japanese permanent residency affects his eligibility under Nepal’s ambassador-appointment rules, which reportedly limit candidates who hold permanent or temporary residency abroad. They also asked whether his wife and sons still hold Japanese permanent residency, and about property in Japan and professional ties with Japanese government bodies.
Thapa said he gave up his own Japanese permanent residency on 25 March 2026, and that he has no personal financial interests or outstanding obligations in Japan. He acknowledged that his family members still hold permanent residency there. The committee chair said it had asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.
How the selection worked
The government recommended the 13 candidates on 18 September 2026, after a public application process launched in May. More than 4,400 people applied. The nominees then went through screening and parliamentary hearings.
What comes next
The 10 approved nominees need host-country consent (agrément) and formal appointment. The government must decide how to fill the Saudi Arabia and Malaysia posts, whether by a new selection process or another lawful route. The committee is awaiting further information on Thapa, including any response from Japan and the Foreign Ministry.
