Kathmandu, Jan. 11 -- The Foreign Ministry had big plans to expand its missions abroad and hire more diplomatic staff, but discord among the Foreign Ministry, Finance Ministry and Ministry of General Administration has meant that those plans might not materialise anytime soon.

Two years ago, Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada had announced plans to cut down on the number of Nepali embassies to lessen the financial burden on the state. The Foreign Ministry had proposed an alternate plan-cut down on some missions but hire more staff and open up a few new offices.

According to two officials from the Foreign Ministry, there were plans to hire 20 to 30 more diplomatic staff, including five joint-secretaries to be deputed to the President's O...