Nation, people, good governance, development priorities of Nepal’s foreign policy: PM Oli

Kathmandu : Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said Nepal’s foreign policy has the priorities on nation, people, good governance and development. It has stressed world peace, prosperity and development, he added.

Releasing four books published by Institute of Foreign Affairs Nepal on Friday, PM Oli viewed that present government was maintaining and expanding foreign relations with clear roadmap based on equality, mutual benefit and respect.

“Government has attached utmost priority to Nepal’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and unity for building strong, prosperous and peaceful nation,” he reminded, adding that the foreign policy has further stressed the promotion of collaboration, regional cooperation, and peace for building just, inclusive and unbiased world order with the control of terrorism, pandemic, reduction of climate change impact, alleviation of poverty and hunger, and protection and promotion of human rights.

Moreover, PM Oli reminded that Nepal government had prioritized expansion of foreign relations by keeping in centre Nepal’s national interest. “We want country’s prosperity, strengthening of relations with neighbours, cooperation, dialogue and end of misunderstanding with consensus,” he mentioned, making it clear that Nepal is for its balanced relations with India and China. Nepal never has the policy to play one country ‘card’ against another.

‘Bashudhaiba kutumbakam’ is another major feature of Nepal’s foreign policy, according to him. It has helped foster co-existence, coordination, love and harmony. The notion of ‘Bashudhaiba kutumbakam’ is linked to sovereign equality, justice and international obligation too. Moreover, Nepal is for world peace, common prosperity, human welfare, and disarmament. It is against production, collection and storage of all sorts of nuclear weapons, PM Oli underlined.

Similarly, PM Oli underscored the need that conducive atmosphere should be created for both Nepali and Indian governments to receive the report prepared by the eminent persons’ group (EPG) on the two-country relations. With the intention of restructuring and redefining the Nepal-India relations to the 21st century need, the prime ministers from both countries had set up the EPG and given it the responsibility to prepare comprehensive report, the PM reminded.

PM Oli expressed worry over idleness of SAARC. “Such regional organizations should not be left idle,” he added, and informed that as the current chair of the SAARC, Nepal could organize the SAARC summit if it is not viable in other member states.

According to him, the regional, bilateral, trilateral and multilateral mechanisms should be taken ahead based on mutual interest. Their relevance is also important.

Stating that the country would not be trapped in foreign loans, PM Oli said that foreign loans and grants would be expected only for employment and production sector. “We will take loans cautiously, as per necessity and priority. We should not be trapped in loans,” he reiterated. He pledged to mobilise country’s diplomatic efforts to develop the country and fight COVID-19.

He did not do anything against the welfare of the country as statements delivered by people in the public, he said, “I have not gone against democracy and the constitution.” The PM mentioned that foreign interference would not be acceptable under any pretexts.

On the occasion, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali informed about his efforts during his ministerial tenure of three years to heighten national image of the country through his views at the international forums about foreign relations, mutual efforts with the global community and trade facilitation and expansion.

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