Leaders calls for uniformity in foreign policies

Top leaders of major political parties have said that there is a need of consensus and uniformity among the national forces while formulating foreign policy, with the objective of fulfilling the national interest in the changed political context.

Speaking at an interaction in the Capital on Friday, they said that all political parties should consider national sovereignty, integrity and independence as the prime interest, rather than going for petty political interest.

Speaking at the programme, Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, CPN-UML leader Jhal Nath Khanal, Co-chairperson of Rastriya Janashakti Party Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani and Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat of Nepali Congress (Democratic) stressed the need for internal stability and economic diplomacy that would be reflected in the country's foreign policy.

Nepal should put the economic agenda at the centre while formulating its foreign policy so as to achieve maximum benefit in terms of economic development, they added.

Dr. Lohani said that internal stability was essential to fulfill the national interest through the conduct of foreign policy.

However, speaking at the same programme, Maoist leader Dev Gurung pointed out the need of reviewing Nepal's foreign policy for the sake of national interest in the changed political context.

On the concept of economic diplomacy and the scope of foreign investment, Gurung said, "Nepal must take support of foreign investment is specific areas along with specific terms and conditions."

Most of the speakers criticized the government for not playing an effective role through analysis of national and international situation before taking part in the race for the United Nations Security Council non-permanent membership.

Nepal faced humiliating loss in the race of the non-permanent membership of UN Security Council. nepalnews.com pb Oct 28 06