Nepal needs to further strengthen ties with India, China: FM Saud

Foreign Minister N.P. Saud has underlined the need for further strengthening Nepal’s relations with both the neighbours India and China. We should not compare Nepal’s relations with one neighbour to another,” pointed out Foreign Minister Saud while speaking at the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives, according to FM Saud’s secretariat.

“Both our neighbours are the rising economic powers and their influence is increasing,” he said adding “Nepal enjoys traditional friendship with both the neighbours,” which needs to be further nurtured.

So far as our relations with the neighbouring countries are concerned, we should not feel psychological pressure and we need to put our concern in a transparent manner, he pointed out.

Nepal’s relations with India is historical and special, he said and pointed out “owing to our open border, two third trade links and transit facilities, our relations with the southern neighbour holds significance.”

As regards China, Saud reiterated that Nepal is committed to its one-China policy, and underscored the need that Nepal should not allow its territory to be used against the neighbours.

So far as Nepal’s development relations is concerned our relations with USA and European Union is important from development perspective, pointed out Saud. He also underscored the need for maximum mobilization of development assistance with USA and EU member countries. He also informed the Parliamentary committee that the US aided Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will be implemented from the coming August. Nepal and USA had signed a deal to implement 500 million US dollar grant assistance to Nepal mainly for maintaining road quality and building cross-border transmission lines. As regards the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreement signed between Nepal and China he told the House Committee that it is not yet implemented, and discussions are underway for its implementation.