Disinformation, cybersecurity, and Nepal’s evolving geopolitics
This roundtable brings together leading experts from Nepal to explore the evolving dynamics of regional geopolitics, cybersecurity, and disinformation in the Himalayas. As Nepal navigates its ongoing engagement with both China and India, new forms of strategic dialogues, ranging from hybrid threats and media framing to cybersecurity and environmental vulnerabilities, are reshaping its national priorities.
Participants of this roundtable engage in policy and academic dialogues to assess Nepal’s strategic vulnerabilities amid rising hybrid threats; the role of media and governance in shaping foreign policy discourse; the portrayal of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Nepal’s media; and the emerging intersection of cybersecurity and environmental risk.
The session concludes with an informal networking.
Chair: Professor Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt, ANU
Agenda:
- 4- 4.10pm Dr Pramod Jaiswal, Research Director, Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement
Title: Hybrid threats in the Himalayas: Navigating Nepal’s strategic vulnerabilities - 4.10-4.20pm Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, Research Director, Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy
Title: Media, politics and governance: China and India’s engagements in Nepal - 4.20-4.30pm Assistant Professor, Lekhanath Pandey, Department of Journalism, Tribhuvan University
Title: Media framing of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal. - 4.30-4.40pm Pradip Khatiwada, Executive Director, Youth Innovation Lab
Title: Mis/dis information and cybersecurity: Navigating threats in the digital era - 4.40-4.50pm Indra Adhikari, Board Member, Policy Research Institute (Government of Nepal)
Title: Sandwiched between two giants: Nepal’s neighbourhood policy limitations - 4.50-5pm Q&A
- 5-5.30pm Tea/refreshment
Image: Cyber Security Title with Nepal flag by MotionCenter via Adobe Stock