Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that Nepal’s foreign policy is dictated by its geopolitical realities.

Replying to the queries of students at the Columbia University in New York on Thursday after delivering a speech, Deuba said it is in Nepal’s national interest to have good relations with both its neighbours India and China.

On Nepal’s position on the two giants’ recent standoff over Doklam at the India, China, Bhutan tri-junction, Deuba said Nepal’s position was for the two emerging powers to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiations.

“And China and India should also understand Nepal’s limitations. We have very good relationship with both the countries.”

On the issue of the Rohingya refugees that Nepal is also hosting in Kathmandu, Deuba said, “We cannot afford more refugees in Nepal unfortunately. We are still facing refugee problems because Bhutanese refuges are there. There are a few Rohingya in Nepal. We can’t welcome [more]. We have limitations. I think the Myanmar government can deal with this problem.”

On the controversy over the largest ever Cabinet in Nepal’s history that he is leading, Deuba said the constitution allowed 10 percent of parliamentarians to become ministers and that ratio was yet to be reached.

On issue of Madhes, “discrimination” against the people living in the plains and the constitution amendment process, Prime Minister Deuba said, “I agree [that] there is some discrimination. In future, we can reform the constitution. We will have to work on this issue.”

On economy, Deuba said Nepal pursues a competitive market economy.

“We are hydro-potential country, have natural beauty, tourism industry, so we welcome investments in Nepal.”