"Reevaluating the 'Global South': Neo-Colonialism and the Agency of Small States in South Asia – a Case Study of Nepal"

Paper Abstract: This paper critically examines the concept of the "Global South" through the lens of neo-colonialism, focusing on Nepal as a case study. The "Global South" is often portrayed as a collective bloc of post-colonial nation-states aligned in responding to the influence of the Global North. Nevertheless, this paper argues that such a conceptualization oversimplifies the heterogeneous historical as well as geopolitical experiences of its members.

Nepal, while never officially colonized, continues to be shaped by neo-colonial dynamics, primarily through the influence of regional powers such as India and China. This paper critiques the notion of the "Global South" as a homogeneous category, highlighting how neo-colonial relationships within the South, especially between larger and smaller states, complicate the global power structure. To preserve its sovereignty, Nepal has been navigating the competing pressures from these regional giants through strategic diplomacy and diversification of foreign relations. Through an examination of Nepal's foreign policy, this paper contends that the "Global South" framework fails to account for smaller states' internal complexities and their agency.

It argues that Nepal's experiences reflect broader trends of small states resisting neo-colonial domination, challenging the simplistic North-South divide and contributing to a more nuanced understanding of global power shifts.