MoFA will have final say on foreign affairs: Gyawali

Kathmandu, Dec. 30

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday said that it would have the 'final say' on every matter related to diplomacy and foreign affairs.


There might be occasions when some diplomatic issues were discussed in the public domain and political circles, but the MoFA is the authority to make the decision or strike any deal, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali at a programme organised to launch the Annual Report of the Ministry at Singhadurbar.


"There may arise some doubt about the government activities or policies related to foreign affairs. The leaders as well as common people can question the government about the issue, but the MoFA will have the final say on it," he said.


Responding to the questions of journalists on multiple and sometimes opposing views even inside the ruling party on the critical diplomatic issues like the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) programme, he said that it was good to have criticism on the matter.


"It might have happened so because of poor communication with the political leaders. They will understand it gradually," he said. "However, we have objection on cynicism exhibited by some political leaders on some critical issues related to foreign affairs."


FM Gyawali said that there was no dilemma about ratifying the MCA programme, and it would be endorsed by the parliament at the earliest.


The MCA – a US$500 million programme of the United States of America extended to Nepal to develop a powerful cross-border electricity transmission line and rehabilitation of strategic roads – became controversial when a few leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) spoke publicly against it.


Efforts to change country's image

In another context Minister Gyawali said that the government wanted to change the image of the country from the poor and weak economy to rising power. 


"We have set multiple examples of success and progress in resolving the decade long conflict, concluding the peace process, creating an inclusive democracy, post-quake reconstruction and high growth trajectory," he said. "We want to share the experience and success with the world."


He said that the initiation of 'Sagarmatha Sambad' was a step towards that aim. The government is launching 'Sagarmatha Sambad', a permanent platform to discuss regional and global issues, in April next year. 


Border dispute won't harm relations with India

The Foreign Affairs Minister also said that the border disputes between Nepal and India wouldn't damage the relations between the two neighbours. 


"Border problem is not a present-day issue. Governments of both the countries are working to resolve it. A meeting of the bilateral mechanism between the two countries will be held soon. We are proposing a date for the meeting to India," said Gyawali. 


He said that the Ministry was reviewing the bilateral relations with the friendly countries and foreign policy of the country. The policy will be developed in a way that it would promote favourable international relations to fulfil the national aspiration 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali'. 


According to him, the geopolitical status of Nepal is an opportunity for Nepal as it is between the two rising economic powerhouses. "We must not take it as a threat but an opportunity. Developed neighbourhood can have spillover impact which will have positive impact in Nepal as well," he said. 


27 high-level visits were made last year

As per the annual report of the ministry, there were 27 high level visits in Nepal, including 20 from Nepal and seven to Nepal in Fiscal Year 2018/19. 


The country forged bilateral diplomatic relationship with six more countries making it 166.

Chief of South Asia Division at the MoFA Yagya Bahadur Hamal said that special celebrations were made on the occasions of the 70^th anniversary of bilateral relationship with France, 60^th with Pakistan and 50^th with Romania. 


"We also held 4^th BIMSTEC summit successfully, launched Brain Gain Centre and announced the Sagarmatha Sambad," he said. The ministry had also held a national dialogue on foreign policy last year.


Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 31 December 2019.