As August comes to an end, I want to pause and recognize the enduring bond between Nepal and those of you living abroad.

This past month, I had the privilege of traveling to Calgary, Canada, as the Chief Guest of the ANA Nepali International Convention. To be among so many Nepalis who have built their lives abroad, yet carry Nepal so deeply in their hearts was profoundly moving. These gatherings are more than social reunions; they are living reminders of how much the diaspora continues to shape Nepal’s present and future.

Canadian Parliamentary Exchange: Diplomacy in Action

I had the privilege of participating in an interactive session hosted by the FCNCC in Mississauga. The gathering brought together Canadian and Nepali parliamentarians, business leaders, and members of the diaspora to reflect on how our two countries can deepen cooperation.

It was an honor to engage with Canadian Members of Parliament Kyle Seeback, Dan Muys, and Amarjeet Gill from the Conservative Party, as well as MP Sonia Sidhu from the Liberal Party. Meeting leaders across party lines underscored the broad, bipartisan goodwill that exists toward Nepal within Canada’s political community.

I am grateful to FCNCC President Bijay Paudel, the organizing team, and our venue sponsor, OptionTrain College, for curating a space that encouraged both serious policy dialogue and meaningful cultural exchange.

Nepali Diaspora: In Figures and Force

Let’s understand the economic importance of our Diaspora.

• Economic Guardians: In 2024, remittances reached an all-time high of 33% of GDP, cushioning Nepal through crises and covering more than half of the trade deficit in some years.

• From Survival to Stability: Migrant workers are not just laborers abroad—they are the backbone of Nepal’s present economy, often responding faster than official aid when disaster strikes.

• Knowledge & Innovation Bridges: Over 110,000 Nepali students left for higher education in 2023, compared to fewer than 10,000 in 2011. This is not “brain drain” but potential “brain circulation” if we create return pathways.

The Answer: From Guardians to Growth Engines

 Economic Guardians, Not Just Lifelines
The diaspora has shielded Nepal’s economy during crisis after crisis. It has kept households afloat, stabilized foreign reserves, and covered trade deficits. This survival role must be recognized with gratitude.

  But Survival Is Not Enough
Remittances, while vital, are consumption-driven and do not build lasting productivity. They cannot remain the foundation of Nepal’s growth story.

 Capitalizing on the Growing Diaspora
The diaspora is no longer only labor migrants. It now includes engineers, doctors, IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and academics. They embody the transition from economic migrants to global knowledge actors.

Standing with so many Nepalese in Canada reminded me that Nepal is not empty of potential. What it needs is direction, opportunity, and the channeling of this energy. Each of you has carried Nepal in your hearts, even while building lives abroad. Now, I urge you to see yourselves not only as guardians of Nepal’s past, but as architects of its future.

The call before us is clear: let us turn remittances into investments, networks into opportunities, and resilience into renewal. Together, we can build the Nepal our next generation deserves.