Swarnim Wagle

Swarnim Wagle – Detailed Profile Full Name: Swarnim Wagle Popularly Known As: Dr. Swarnim Wagle Date of Birth: Not widely specified in public sources Place of Birth: Gorkha District, Nepal Nationality: Nepali Ethnicity: Not publicly specified; family background linked with liberal democratic political traditions Education: Schooling: Budhanilkantha School, Nepal Undergraduate Degree: Economics – London School of Economics (United Kingdom) Master’s Degree: Master of Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) – Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government (United States) PhD in Economics: Australian National University (Australia), focusing on development economics, public policy, and economic reform Professional Background: Dr. Wagle is a development economist and policy expert with over 25 years of experience in international economic policy and development. He has worked with major global organizations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, specializing in trade, investment, fiscal policy, poverty reduction, and economic reform across Asia and other regions. He served as Chief Economic Advisor at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific in New York, where he oversaw economic policy work across 36 countries, including crisis response initiatives such as the Sri Lanka debt mission and COVID-19 economic recovery strategies. He also currently serves as Chair of the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) in Kathmandu, a leading South Asian policy think tank. Public Policy & Government Roles: Dr. Wagle served multiple terms in Nepal’s National Planning Commission of Nepal, the government’s apex planning body. Member (2014–2015) – Contributed to national development planning during Nepal’s federal transition. Member (2016–2017) – Continued work on economic policy coordination and development strategies. Vice-Chair (Aug 2017 – Feb 2018) – Held ministerial rank and guided Nepal’s 14th National Development Plan, post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, governance reforms, and economic policy improvements. Political Career: Dr. Wagle was associated with the Nepali Congress for many years, contributing to the party’s economic policies and election manifestos. In March 2023, he resigned from the party and joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to pursue reform-oriented politics focused on governance improvement and economic transformation. 2023 By-Election: Elected Member of Parliament from Tanahun-1, defeating Govinda Bhattarai of the Nepali Congress with 34,919 votes. 2026 General Election: Re-elected from Tanahun-1 with 38,040 votes, increasing his margin of victory. In November 2023, he was appointed Vice-Chair (Vice President) of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, serving under party president Rabi Lamichhane. He has also led the drafting of the party’s long-term economic and development policy framework. Political Ideology: Swarnim Wagle’s political approach emphasizes good governance, job creation, economic reform, evidence-based policymaking, and sustainable national development. His policy priorities focus on improving economic productivity, strengthening institutions, promoting investment and trade, and creating employment opportunities for Nepal’s youth. Electoral History: 2023 Tanahun-1 By-Election: Won with 34,919 votes (54.57%), defeating Govinda Bhattarai by 14,797 votes. 2026 Tanahun-1 General Election: Re-elected with 38,040 votes, defeating the same opponent by 21,809 votes, further strengthening his political mandate. Public Image & Influence: Dr. Wagle is widely regarded as one of Nepal’s most credible economic policy experts in politics. His transition from international development institutions to active politics has positioned him as a reform-oriented leader advocating economic transformation, employment generation, and institutional accountability. Because of his strong economic credentials, he is often viewed as a potential future Finance Minister of Nepal. Personal Life: Swarnim Wagle is married to Shachee Wagle, and the couple has one son. He is the son of Jeevanraj Wagle. Although he keeps his family life relatively private, he maintains a strong personal and political connection to Tanahun, which he often describes as his home constituency.