Nepal will maintain equidistance between India and China, says Foreign Minister

Newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs Upendra Yadav has said the new government will work towards maintaining equidistance between the two giant neighbours - India and China.

Newly appointed Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav speaking at the programme. nepalnews.com/ANA

The dynamics of diplomatic ties will change in the new context and that government will maintain balanced relations with the neighbours, Yadav said.

The foreign minister was speaking at the Reporters Club Sunday.

Mentioning that foreign diplomats in the past issued statements by breaching diplomatic norms, the foreign minister said the new government would not entertain such practices. "Foreigners did try to influence Nepal's politics. We will now create a situation wherein such things will not happen," Yadav said.

He also defended Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's ongoing tour China, saying the visit is meant to represent the country in the closing ceremony of Beijing Olympic, and not intended to keep India at a distance. He added that the visit would help consolidate the ties between the two countries.

Yadav also informed that he would discuss ways to control floods in the Terai plains with Indian officials during his visit to India on Aug 28."I will initiate dialogue to solve the problem caused by Koshi dam," he said. nepalnews.com Aug 24 08