KATHMANDU, June 16: Minister for Home Affairs, Bal Krishna Khand, on behalf of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was unable to participate in today’s discussion on the budget in the federal parliament, has said that neither is Nepal involved in the State Partnership Program (SPP) in any way nor does it have the intention to do so in the future. 

“Nepal is not involved in SPP and nor does it have any intention to do so. It cannot be part of any military alliance,” he said. Minister Khand responded to queries asked in parliament as PM Deuba was absent in the meeting due to his busy schedule. 

During the discussion on the budget of the Ministry of Defense on Thursday, almost all parliamentarians had raised questions about the SPP. They said that the statement from the US embassy and the Nepal Army had raised suspicions and called for clarification over the matter.

Minister Khand has argued that Nepal should not be involved in such programs as it is a member of the United Nations. "We do not want to be involved. The government's commitment is important, "he said. 

Minister Khand also said that the date of the prime minister's visit to the United States has not been fixed yet. Parliament will be informed of the visit after it is fixed, he said. 

 
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