Avoid extreme comments on foreign policy: Oli

 Kathmandu, Aug. 5

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, said that the political parties and experts must refrain from making extreme comments on foreign policy of the country and its relations with the friendly nations.

"Political parties and leaders should save themselves from making extreme comments as well as taking such steps in terms of foreign policy," he said while speaking at a programme on 'CPN-UML's perspective on current international situation and Nepal's foreign policy' organised by the Foreign Affairs Department of CPN-UML.

According to him, there could be differences and internal political conflicts but foreign policy exercise shouldn't go out of track.

However, he demanded greater transparency in the government's dealings and agreements with neighbouring and friendly countries. "Government is signing agreement against the national, economic and other interests. There should be transparency in the dealings and consensus among the political parties," said Oli.

He stated that the recent India visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ failed to make any progress in terms of accepting the report of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal and India.

The EPG was made during his prime ministership in January 2016 in the aftermath of the blockade imposed on Nepal by India.

Oli maintained that the governments of the two countries had been discussing the date for the report submission but that couldn't be materialised.

According to him, foreign policy of Nepal is not weak but the dealings have been weak. "Current government has weak performance in terms of foreign policy practice which is further proven by the failure in signing deal in the national interest during the last visit of PM Prachanda," he said.

If we can't raise the issue of our priority and just demands with the neighbouring countries, we are a weak nation, stated Oli.

"We can't exhibit belligerence, we don't have the might for it. So, we need to resort to the international laws to protect our national interest. If there is an absence of law, lobbying should be put into effect to create one," he suggested.

Meanwhile, Oli said that Nepal's foreign policy and diplomatic exercise should orient to promote trade and attract investment. According to him, import substitution and export promotion should be the key agenda as there is a need to increase production and productivity.

He also said that any activity that jeopardise the international peace should be condemned.

“Current competition on strategic power promotion and hostility promoted by some powerful countries would weaken the global peace. It wouldn't be in the interest of Nepal and the humanity,” he said.

Similarly, he suggested not devising or exercising foreign policy based on any ideology and maintaining neutrality to discourage war.

According to the former PM, Nepal should bring in financial and other support for national development from the regional powers as well as other developed nations and organisations since the country lacks resources and is in dire need of capital and technology. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 August 2023.