Kathmandu, 13 January: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that both neighboring countries, India and China, have given importance to their relations with Nepal and given it priority.
Speaking at today’s meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Parliament, Minister Dr. Rana informed that both countries have given priority to their relations with Nepal and that the necessary level of dialogue, contact and interaction is being carried out with Nepal.
She said, “There are various bilateral meetings, exchange of visits, as well as contacts and dialogues. Both countries have been supporting Nepal since the past, and this cooperation and goodwill will continue in the coming days as well.” She was responding to a query raised by committee members regarding Nepal’s diplomatic relations in the recent past.
In the meeting, Minister Dr. Rana informed about Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s and her participation in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly held in the United States, various meetings and programs held during that period, Prime Minister Oli’s visit to China as well as his visit to India and the understandings, agreements and bilateral meetings reached during those visits.
‘Loan’ is not written in the BRI agreement
In response to a query raised in the meeting, Minister Dr Rana clarified that the issue of taking loans was not mentioned anywhere in the recently concluded Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreement between the Government of Nepal and China. She said, “There is no mention of taking loans in that agreement. As far as I understand, the word ‘aid’ used in it does not mean loan. But here, why is it only mentioned that Nepal has entered into an agreement on loans?”
Clarifying that Nepal has signed a cooperation-based project under the BRI and that it does not mention taking a loan, she said, “Taking a loan is based on need. We do not need a loan, but if we do, does the lending party say we must take it?”
Maximum efforts have been made for the release of Bipin. The meeting was informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken maximum initiative for the release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who has been under the control of the Hamas group since last year.
She informed that just a few days ago, she had reiterated her request to Nepal through the ambassadors of Israel, Egypt, and Qatar to take initiatives for Bipin’s release with those countries.
Minister Dr. Rana also informed that she is trying to talk to the Foreign Minister of Qatar, who is mediating with Hamas for the release of prisoners, and will talk to him in a day or two and request him to make the same request.
She said that she is urging the foreign community and stakeholders to take the initiative for Bipin’s release at this stage, as information has been received that Hamas is preparing to release the elderly, women, children, and people in critical health conditions under its control in the first phase.
She informed that since information was received that Bipin was still alive only a short time ago, he has vigorously taken the initiative for his release and has urged the international community to do so at the United Nations, various international and regional forums, as well as bilateral and multilateral meetings.
SAARC is not active just because we want it to be, efforts are ongoing
Minister Dr. Rana clarified that Nepal alone cannot make the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) active, but nevertheless, initiatives are being taken to give momentum to SAARC. She said, “We cannot make SAARC active just by wanting to. The SAARC charter itself states that its summit can only be held with the consent of the heads of state and government of all member states. SAARC has not gained momentum because all member states are not ready. However, Nepal, as the chairman, is taking initiatives and making efforts.”
She said that not only the SAARC summit could not be held, but other programs and meetings were also taking place. She also said that she had taken the initiative for a meeting of SAARC foreign ministers during the United Nations General Assembly.
Changes in the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through ONM Minister Dr. Rana also informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conducted an organizational survey (ONM) as per its requirements and this will help in providing services to the Nepali diaspora and expanding other diplomatic relations in the coming days.
She said that Nepali citizens have not been able to access services in some missions due to lack of necessary manpower and that there is a need to expand missions in some places, adding that this new ONM will solve all these problems. She informed that changes will also be made in some branches and divisions, and an action plan will be made to move forward by establishing a division in the participation of other concerned ministries, giving substance to the concept of economic diplomacy in the coming days.
Minister Dr. Rana informed that the passport service is now efficient and the process of providing passports on time through bidding has begun despite the procedural complications required for purchasing passports.
In the meeting chaired by Committee Chairman Rajkishore Yadav, MPs Bimalendra Nidhi, Pashupati Shumsher Jabra, Prem Suwal, Mohan Acharya, Yogesh Gauchan Thakali, Sunita Baral and Damodar Poudel Bairagi raised questions about the activities related to the ministry and suggested that foreign policy should be implemented in the national interest.
