Nepal’s historic conflicts have revealed significant weaknesses in its governance and security structures. The country’s vulnerability to disasters, reliance on remittances, dependence on food and fuel imports via a few major supply routes, and a long, open border with India further exacerbate these challenges, with national security implications as well as direct costs to the public. Emerging threats such as violent extremism, trafficking, industrial espionage, and cybercrime place additional burdens on the Nepali state, especially amid heightened regional geopolitical competition.
The 2015 Constitution, which emerged as a remedy, in part, to past security failures, offers a critical opportunity to redefine national security principles, architecture, and practices. Articles 57 and 268 of the 2015 Constitution mandate the federalization of law enforcement agencies, leading provincial governments to establish their own police forces and investigation bureaus. These empowered provincial law enforcement bodies are crucial for realizing the constitutional goals of devolved governance, especially in public security and disaster management.
Achieving cross-party consensus on security responsibilities is essential to enable technical assistance to strengthen security architecture. Niti Foundation collaborates across all political parties, security agencies, and all levels of government to support this transition, supporting the establishment of a new set of values to guide law enforcement and national security.
