Parties stress ‘balanced and equal’ foreign policies in manifestos

 Kathmandu, Nov. 13

Major political parties have promised in their manifestos that they would maintain a 'balanced' and 'equal' foreign policy with all friendly nations.

 However, they have accorded priority to the relations with the immediate neighbours – India and China while maintaining that the country's international affairs would be guided by the national interest, principles of 'Panchasheel' and non-alignment, Charter of the United Nations, and national security.

The CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) have given priority to the relations with India and China while the latter has moved a step further with the announcement that the border with the southern neighbour would be controlled and regulated.

However, partners of the ruling coalition alliance which is in the election fray with the same unity have not come in a 'uniform way' in terms of managing the foreign affairs of the country if they garnered the majority and formed the new government, which is likely to happen in a less than a month.

The Nepali Congress (NC), leader of the ruling alliance, said in its manifesto that the government led by it would apply independent and balanced foreign policy and stated that although the countries are rich and poor from the economic perspective, or large and small from the geographical perspective, they are equal from the point view of sovereignty.

It has announced that a diplomatic balance would be maintained with the neighbours that are projected to be the economic powers in the 21^st century and economic, social, cultural and trade ties would be further enhanced. It has also sought 'reciprocity' in the relations with India and China.

The party is also set for ensuring the seamless trade and transit facility provisioned for the landlocked countries as well as obtaining maximum benefits from the international trade with the diversification of trade and transit.

The NC has also assured that the party would not directly or indirectly involve in the strategic competition among the powerful nations. "In the changed context, public diplomacy and soft power would be used at the maximum," it said.

Likewise, the CPN-UML said that 'sovereign equality' will be the principle in Nepal's foreign policy. It said in the manifesto that the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independency would be further strengthened and the borders connected with any country – including Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani area – would be equally protected.

It has also maintained that the pacts and agreements would be reviewed and amended to promote and protect Nepal's national interest.

Similarly, the CPN (Maoist Centre) has stood in the same line with the UML and said in its election announcements that diplomatic initiatives would be immediately taken to get back the encroached land in the Kalapani region. It has reiterated that it wouldn't allow the misuse of Nepali land against any neighbouring country.

The MC has also said that Nepal would not participate in any military alliance.

It also announced to review, scrap, amend or replace the 1947's trilateral treaty on Gorkha recruitment and the treaty of 1950 with India.

Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal said in its manifesto that the relations with both the neighbours would base on mutual respect and benefits and non-interference. It plans to mobilise the Nepali missions and embassies abroad for economic diplomacy so that they would contribute in the national development.

Announcing that the border points would be better organised, the JSP-N said that the problems the country is facing in the areas of border, water resources, trade and transit would be resolved on the basis of internationally recognised principles.

It has also included new articles like guaranteeing the patent rights of indigenous people on their knowledge, skills and technology which they have been using since long.

Likewise, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party said 'special importance' should be accorded to the relations with India while maintaining intimate and cordial relations with another neighbour China. It has criticised the tendency of the leaders of the larger political parties to lean towards either neighbour for personal, political or personal interest.

The CPN (Unified Socialist) also said that it would launch initiatives to review the 1950's treaty with India and replace it in line with the national interst and need. Newly launched Rastriya Swatantra Party announced that every grant support to the country would be made transparent to the pbulic. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 November 2022.