Miscellaneous
‘Taskforce to review foreign policy on cards’
Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat said on Monday that plans are afoot to review Nepal’s foreign policy to make it more relevant in accordance with changed context.Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat said on Monday that plans are afoot to review Nepal’s foreign policy to make it more relevant in accordance with changed context.
“We are going to form a taskforce that will come up with suggestions which will direct the new foreign policy dynamics,” said Mahat during an interaction at the Reporters’ Club.
“An expert panel will be formed soon and as per the recommendations made by the panel, we will move ahead.”
After complaints from various quarters that Nepal’s foreign policy lacks consensus, that it is guided by partisan interest and lack of coherence, the ministry has felt the need to review its foreign policy.
Mahat also said that ambassadorial appointments in various missions will also be made soon. At least a dozen Nepali missions, including the Gulf countries, are without ambassadors for long.
Senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahat and political leaders to appoint ambassadors in the Gulf countries at the earliest given the number of Nepalis working there.
Mahat said that his busy schedule and government’s other pressing agendas like constitution amendment bill had delayed the ambassador appointment process.
On charges that the government brought the constitution amendment proposal “as per India’s signal”, Minister Mahat said, “Why are we suspicious when India expresses concern? All friendly nations like China, the US… European countries… are concerned about Nepal.”
“The constitution amendment proposal has been tabled to address the demands of the Madhesis,” he said. “There is no signal from any country.”
He also warned the main opposition CPN-UML not to make exaggerated comments on constitution amendment bill that aims to give outlet to the current political standoff.
“If the UML and Madhes-based parties continue to oppose the amendment bill, it will complicate politics,” said Mahat, adding that chances of revising the bill are slim.
“This is the maximum we can offer to [Madhes-based parties]. This is the last offer we can make. We cannot revise the proposal.”