Roshan Khanal is serving as the acting ambassador at the Nepalese Embassy in China, marking the first time a woman has held this leadership role there. After a career in the private banking sector, she entered government service and successfully joined the foreign service in 2010. Khanal has worked in challenging environments in Israel and the United Kingdom and is now dedicated to strengthening Nepal-China relations. The enthusiasm surrounding Nepal’s first female prime minister this year has also reached Beijing. Currently, female Prime Minister Sushila Karki has handed over her duties and stepped down. Following ambassador Krishna Prasad Oli’s return to Nepal amid the impact of the Janjhi movement, Khanal has taken over as the acting ambassador at the Nepalese Embassy in China.
Women’s representation in Nepal’s diplomatic service remains limited. However, Roshan Khanal has advanced through her dedication, competence, and confidence, becoming a strong figure in the field. Her journey from a modest family background to the international diplomatic stage serves as an inspiring story. She has twice served as acting ambassador in the UK and is now leading the embassy in China. In the 70-year history of Nepal-China relations, she is the first woman to lead the Nepalese Embassy in Beijing.
Born in Palpa, Khanal’s childhood was humble. She completed her early schooling in Palpa up to eighth grade before progressing through educational institutions in Bhairahawa and Kathmandu. She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bhairahawa and a postgraduate degree in Kathmandu. “My background is in commerce. Initially, I did not plan to join government service,” she said. Joining the foreign service was the result of opportunity and courage. She passed the civil service exam on her first attempt despite limited preparation.
After joining the foreign service in 2010, her first challenge was the lack of guidance within the system. “At that time, there was no culture of people training each other,” she explained. Her posting in Israel provided valuable experience, where she closely observed the lives of Nepali migrant workers. The situation of female workers was especially sensitive. “More than 90 percent of them were women. They worked around the clock and faced mental health challenges from being away from their families,” she noted.
In 2012, Israel was at war. “During war, everyone panics. It was our responsibility to provide counseling and coordination for Nepalis,” she said. After four years, she returned to Nepal and handled various responsibilities before taking a posting in the UK. Her experience in London was quite different. “In Israel, many were labor workers, but in London, the community was a mix of families, students, and Gurkhas,” she said.
China is a significant partner for Nepal but also presents many challenges. “We can gain a lot from China, but we have not yet fully utilized its potential,” she remarked. “We must clearly define our interests and work accordingly. Looking for opportunities abroad is not enough.” Khanal’s journey symbolizes not only her personal achievements but also social transformation. She has full confidence in women, believing they should be advanced not through pity but through genuine opportunity. “We should not make excuses; we must prove ourselves through work,” she emphasized.
She acknowledges the occasional difficulty in balancing personal and professional responsibilities. “There were times I had to leave a young child to go to work. Thinking back, it sometimes feels uncomfortable,” she shared. Nonetheless, she firmly believes that decision was necessary. “At that time, it was essential to break the stereotype that women cannot work,” she affirmed.
