KATHMANDU, Sept 3: Opposition parties in Parliament have demanded a direct response from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli regarding China’s claim that Nepal has expressed support for its Global Security Initiative (GSI).
Speaking in Wednesday’s House of Representatives meeting, CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Prakash Jwala said Nepal has never been part of any military strategy of major powers and should not engage in such frameworks in the future. He warned that if Nepal were to support GSI, it would risk falling into the security traps of powerful nations, calling it “self-destructive and objectionable.”
Nepal has not made any agreement on GSI: Foreign Secy Rai
The controversy arose after PM Oli’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 30, during which Nepal reiterated its stance on Lipulekh based on past diplomatic notes and protests. Following the meeting, however, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly stated that Nepal had supported the GSI. Lawmakers questioned why the government has not yet issued an official clarification on the matter.
Jwala emphasized that Nepal has so far remained outside initiatives like the US Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), the State Partnership Program (SPP), and China’s GSI, in line with its non-aligned foreign policy commitment.
Meanwhile, CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Lekhnath Dahal urged the government to present a clear position on Lipulekh after reports of India and China reaching an agreement on its use as a trade route. He suggested that Nepal should consider taking the matter to an international court if needed. Dahal also stressed that on foreign policy matters, the entire Parliament and the country must stand united.
