Saturday, February 18, 2017

VP Pun stresses on stable foreign policy

Kathmandu, Feb. 17:
Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun said Friday that the country's relations with its neighbours should not change with the change of government.
Addressing a programme organised to mark the 69thanniversary of Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA), he said that in the absence of a stable neighbourhood and foreign policy, Nepal's relations wouldn't be reliable and strong.
"Nepal needs to make its neighbourhood policy strong with wide analysis and mature public opinion, and economic gain must be the main goal while strengthening bilateral or trilateral relations," he said.
According to Vice-President Pun, during high level visits to foreign countries, subjects that fall under the ministries other than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance should be discussed intensively.
He stressed on the implementation of the project agreements signed with the neighbouring countries at the earliest.
VP Pun said that Nepal was lagging behind due to internal instability and absence of a clear foreign policy.
"Uniformity on national policy and a common commitment for its implementation are a must to be successful in diplomatic relations. But in the case of Nepal, it has not been so. Therefore, we are lagging behind," said Pun.
He said that the political parties might have their own ideologies, but they should have one opinion in terms of foreign policy, and this should reflect in their attitude.
"Economic, social and political development with internal stability should be our prime goals while expressing our notions at the diplomatic level," he said.
NCWA president Dr. Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha suggested focusing on economic rather than conventional diplomacy.
"Application of tact, negotiation skills and intelligence in promoting development, trade and investment constitute an integral part of economic diplomacy," he said.
According to Dr. Shrestha, attracting foreign direct investment from China, India and others along with transfer of new technologies, skills and managerial expertise in areas of comparative and competitive advantages, such as hydropower, infrastructure, agro-forestry based industries and tourism would boost Nepal's economy.
Saying the current equidistance or balanced approach in terms of India and China might not yield the desired results in Nepal's interest, he remarked that foreign policy should be country specific based on comparative advantage and cooperation, not confrontation.
He said that there was a need for an urgent review of Nepal's current policies and relations vis-à-vis its neighbours.
"The recent border blockade, unrest in Madhes, widening gap between different sections of the society, and excessive external interference in the internal affair are largely the consequence of our weak foreign policy and ineffective diplomacy," he said.
He said that lack of consensus on issues of national interest among the political leaders has remained an obstacle in defining our policy priorities.
"Partisan politics and conflicting interest of the leadership in response to international and regional issues have tarnished the national image. As a result, Nepal does not seem to have an effective foreign policy that is coherent, up-to-date, comprehensive, pragmatic and flexible enough to protect national interest," he said.

NCWA general secretary Prof. Dr. Shreedhar Gautam said that the organisation was the largest national institution promoting international understanding, cooperation, peace, security and prosperity among the people of friendly countries through people to people diplomacy. 

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