Speaking as a panelist for the session on Democracy, Power and Violence in South Asia, Dr. Pyakurel stated that “new Nepal” with federalism, secularism and inclusiveness tried to address the problems faced by minorities and marginalized groups of the country. He provided an overview of the socio-political changes that took place in Nepal within three decades, after 1990s and stated that the big challenge for Nepal today is to make political elites of the country realize that Nepal is a democracy, and there is no space for any kind of authoritarianism.

Other panelists in the session were from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.