Valley
My visit has no agenda except to mend ties: Oli
Prime KP Sharma Oli has said that his India visit has no specific agenda except to mend ties between the two countries.Prime KP Sharma Oli has said that his India visit has no specific agenda except to mend ties between the two countries. Talking to reporters at Baluwatar a day before embarking on his visit to India, Oli, in his characteristically folksy wit that he often uses to offer his perspective on major issues in the form of pithy statements, said “not having a specific agenda is a heavy agenda”.
He also dismissed suggestions that he was playing India against China and vice-versa. “I am not a gambler, and I do not play any card. We want to build our relations with India and China on the basis of mutual benefit and respect,” said Oli.
He emphasised his government’s strong beliefs in honest diplomacy and friendship.
“The big expectation from my visit is that we want friendly relations with India,” said PM Oli, adding that he would try to clear some misunderstandings that have cropped up in recent times.
“We want friendship, co-existence and mutual respect from India, and we must continue this age-old relation in an equal footing. We are conscious about our interests,” said the prime minister. “There are certainly many issues to be discussed with India, but I hope to create an environment so that these outstanding issues will be addressed in a cordial manner,” he said, elaborating on his “no specific agenda” remark. “I will tell the Indian leadership that there should not be any illusion about Nepal’s unflinching commitment to relations with India.”
Describing his pitch to the Indian business community, Oli said he would offer them strong assurances to protect their investment. “Investment in Nepal is safe, profitable and guaranteed,” he said.
Stating that India has already welcomed the new constitution, Oli said, “India has invited a prime minister who was elected under the constitutional provision.”