Nepal's Foreign Minister calls down on concerns related to foreign policy

Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on Monday said the country's foreign policy is "independent and balanced" focusing on national prosperity with no external interference. Reviewing his 10-month tenure at the Foreign Ministry in Kathmandu, Gyawali underlined the need for initiating national dialogues to build the country's foreign policy on the basis of mass consensus. The minister said Nepal is moving ahead adopting healthy and balanced foreign policies. "Development of foreign relations as per the interests of the nation is taking place," Gyawali claimed.

During a discussion programme with senior journalists, the foreign minister made it clear that Nepal is not entertaining external interference in domestic affairs and is developing international relations focusing on national prosperity. "The interest of the nation is the major basis of Nepal’s foreign policy," he pointed out. He said that the diplomatic code of conduct will be revised in the context of the newly-adopted federal system."

"The government is exercising to garner support from the world community towards the efforts for national prosperity and economic development by further consolidating the ties with neighbours with the branding of political achievements the country has made so far."

“We have been able to assure our neighbours that our foreign policy is independent and balanced, in which they have trust,” the foreign minister said. Reiterating that Nepal has cordial relations with China, the foreign minister said the process to open nine transit points with China has reached the implementation phase. Referring to his recent official visit to Japan, he said Nepal has entered a process to explore Japan as a new labour destination.

(With inputs from agencies.)