KATHMANDU, Oct 18: Various speakers have called for the political parties to develop common stance and views on the issues of national security and international relations. 

At a seminar organized by Nepal Intellectuals Council on 'Nepal's National Security and International Relations' in the capital on Tuesday, the participating speakers stressed the need for strengthening internal national unity and nationality. 

They noted that the security policy and foreign policy should be framed and adopted going beyond any political party, ideology, principle and thought in a way the country is benefitted. 

CPN-UML Vice-Chairperson Bhim Rawal shared that the Council of Ministers of erstwhile government had endorsed the National Security Policy which was accepted by all the political parties. 

Stressing that Nepal should determine its foreign policy based on the UN Charter and Panchasheel Doctrine; he said our foreign policy should not deviate from these guiding documents. 

CPN-Maoist Centre Spokesperson Pampha Bhusal said people would not be sovereign until the nation is independent and noted the need to initiate the process to scrap unequal treaties and agreements signed with India in the past. 

She further expressed her party's readiness to collaborate with other stakeholders on the issues of foreign policy and security policy rising above of partisan interests. 

Lawmaker from Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal (Democratic) Jeetendra Dev suggested that the issues of national unity, minimum military force and economic development should be taken ahead together in connection with the national security of Nepal. 

Nepal's former ambassador to China Tanka Karki highlighted the need to consolidate national security through economic and social development and strengthen international relations through matching foreign policy. 

Council Chairperson Dr Dinesh Chandra Devkota said the seminar was organized to develop common stance and understanding among the political parties on national security and foreign policy. 

On the occasion, Social Analyst of the Council Bidhan Acharya had presented a working paper on the theme of the seminar. RSS 

 
• various speakers
 
• national security
 
• international relations
 
• common stance