KATHMANDU, Oct 5: Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that as Nepal shares common views with India on major international issues, there is no point in criticizing the government over some of the points included in the joint statement issued by Nepal and India during the prime minister's recent India visit. 

Speaking at an interaction at Reporter's Club on Tuesday, Mahat claimed that the joint statement however didn't mean that Nepal should make common position with India on all international issues.
 
“Nepal and India share common position on issues concerning underdeveloped countries and terrorism. What wrong has Nepal done by stating that it will share common stance with India as we already have common position,” asked Mahat. 

The minister has reaffirmed the position at a time when opposition parties have strongly protested against some of the points of the joint statement issued during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's India visit last month.

The opposition parties have opposed point number 11, among other points of the joint statement, for stating that “the two prime ministers believe that both countries hold similar views on major international issues…”.

He said that Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's Nepal three-day visit starting November 2 has already been confirmed. He also informed that Nepal is working to bring about the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
 
On a different note, Mahat said Nepal, as SAARC chair, is for fixing a new date for the 19th SAARC Summit at the earliest ensuring participation of all member countries. “We want that SAARC summit should be held after ensuring participation of all member countries as the forum is important for Nepal,” he said.
 
Asked about Nepal's statement regarding the postponement of the SAARC summit, Mahat added that Nepal always stands against terrorism anywhere in the world. 

 
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• prakash sharan mahat
 
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• prime ministers's recent india visit