KATHMANDU, June 15: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Narayan Khadka has said the government was willing to receive the Nepal-India Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) report. 

Minister Dr Khadka said this while responding to the queries raised by parliamentarians in the course of deliberation on the Appropriation Bill, 2079 BS in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. 

He also assured the MPs that the implementation of the report recommendations was in the benefits of both the countries. The minister expressed his confidence that it would help address the historically-unsolved issues and also further strengthen the bilateral relations persisting between Nepal and India. 

The EPG was formed in 2016 to recommend the measures to further consolidate the century-old multidimensional bilateral relations between Nepal and India by reviewing the existing treaties and agreements. The group has already prepared the report after completing its task. 

In the parliamentary deliberations on Tuesday, lawmakers raised the issues related to the operation of Nepal's foreign relations, non-alignment, relations with neighboring countries, border security, border management, foreign investment, overall economic diplomacy, management of foreign employment, institutional capacity building of foreign ministry and appointment of ambassadors. 

In response, Foreign Minister Khadka clarified that the government was sticking to its policy of embracing the directives and policy arrangements of the Constitution and adopting independent and balanced foreign relations based on mutual benefits. 

He further briefed that the government since its formation has accomplished significant works in expanding and consolidating the country's international relations. 

“The government's diplomatic efforts are underway to safeguard national independence and interests, contribute to the country's socio-economic development through economic diplomacy and further improve Nepal's relations with all friendly nations of the world including the neighboring countries based on mutual interests and benefits,” he added. 

The foreign minister further said that the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation had already unveiled Nepal's political and administrative map inclusive of territory including Limpiyadhura across Mahakali-east as per the Nepal government (cabinet) decision of May 18, 2020. The Nepal-India Border Inspection and Monitoring Committee, formed as per the cabinet decision of August 3, 2020 has been continuously doing its ground works, the minister clarified while responding to the queries. 

Nepal government has been consistently effortful in having dialogue with India to address the backlog of border issues, Minister Khadka added. 

Likewise, Minister Khadka clarified that the bilateral discussions between Nepal and China have resolved the problems that occasionally surfaced along the border.

(RSS)

 
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