Nepal’s prime ministers have often faced criticism over the size and cost of foreign delegations. This time, Prime Minister Balen Shah left Kathmandu for his first foreign visit with a notably small immediate team. Reports identify just four close aides traveling with him: Chief Adviser Kumar Byanjankar, Chief Personal Secretary Subash Sharma, Private Secretary Pradip Pariyar and photographer Binay Shakya. The wider Nepali delegation at the UN is larger and includes Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and other government officials, some of whom traveled separately. Still, Balen’s compact traveling party creates an interesting public debate: Does a prime minister really need a huge entourage to represent Nepal abroad? With Nepal facing economic pressure and reconstruction needs after devastating floods, the symbolism of a smaller traveling team is likely to attract attention. Balen is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24, where Nepal’s climate and disaster concerns are expected to feature prominently. Small team. Big stage. Will this become a new standard for Nepal’s leaders—or is the comparison more complicated than it looks? https://www.facebook.com/reel/...