My China visit will be fruitful: PM

Kathmandu, Sept. 10

Former prime ministers, foreign ministers and senior political leaders have suggested Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ giving special emphasis on maintaining balanced diplomatic relations with neighbours.

Offering their suggestions at a meeting organised on Sunday morning to discuss the PM’s upcoming visit to China, they said that it was necessary to review the status of the implementation of past agreements, and both countries should pay attention to the issues of bilateral interest including each other's security.

The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Office, Singha Durbar.

The senior leaders also demanded that Nepal's non-aligned foreign policy should be trusted by its neighbours, and suggested that Nepal should do good homework on the issues that could benefit the country.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Prachanda emphasised that his visit to China will be fruitful and effective since necessary homework has already been done for that.

"The suggestions that you made here will help make my visit more effective. Every effort has been made to make the visit fruitful,” he said.

Explaining that the government will maintain balanced relations with both neighbours as well as the world community, the Prime Minister said that Nepal is firm in its non-aligned foreign policy.

Prime Minister Prachanda informed that the UN General Assembly would be informed about Nepal's development efforts, climate change and its impact on countries like Nepal. Likewise, Nepal's role in concluding the peace process would also be highlighted, and an appeal would be made for joint efforts to conclude it soon.

He informed that the schedule of going to China directly from the UNGA has been determined after a good discussion at the diplomatic level, and during the visit, Nepal-China relations and bilateral interests would be discussed.

Former prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Sharma Oli and Madhav Kumar Nepal, Foreign Minister N.P. Saud, leaders Mahant Thakur, C.K. Raut, Chitra Bahadur KC, Prem Suwal, former foreign ministers Ramesh Nath Pandey, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Dr. Bimala Paudel Rai, Prime Minister's Political Advisor Haribol Gajurel, Security Advisor Shankar Das Bairagi, Chief Secretary Dr. Baikunth Aryal and Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and other high officials attended the meeting.

Leading a Nepali delegation, PM Prachanda is leaving for the 78^th UNGA, which is happening in the UN headquarters in New York, on September 16.

The UNGA has begun from September 5, Tuesday and the high-level segment of the Assembly will be organised from 18 to 26 of this month.

Nepali delegation will include, FM Saud, PM's chief political advisor, national security advisor, chief secretary, foreign secretary, high government officials, Nepal's ambassador to the USA and the United Nations and media persons.

Nepal will also participate in the annual meetings like G-77 and China, LLDCs and others.

After participating in the high-level session of the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, the Prime Minister is scheduled to embark on an official visit to China on September 22. According to government sources, bilateral development issues, border opening, enhancing trade, investment and tourism are among the top agenda for the visit. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 September 2023.