On April 8, 2023, Prime Minister Balendra Shah of Nepal held a significant joint meeting with 17 foreign envoys in Kathmandu, including representatives from India, the United States, and China. This meeting, held at the prime minister's office in Singhadurbar, marks a departure from traditional individual meetings and aims to convey a message of neutrality amidst increasing geopolitical tensions in the region. Shah emphasized that Nepal's foreign policy will be based on trust, mutual respect, and shared prosperity, aiming to strengthen ties with immediate neighbors and development partners. He also reassured the envoys of the government's commitment to good governance and improving the livelihoods of Nepali citizens. The meeting coincided with a briefing for Cabinet ministers on Nepal's foreign policy and diplomatic conduct, underscoring the government's focus on maintaining political stability and a predictable policy environment. Former Nepali Army Major General Binoj Basnyat noted that the joint meeting format sends a strategic signal of neutrality, crucial in the context of rising competition between major powers in the region.