Nepal’s foreign minister seeks friendly ties with India & China

Newly-appointed Foreign Minister of Nepal, Narayan Khadka, seeks to maintain friendly ties with India as well as China.

Key Points

He will work towards maintaining friendly and balanced relations with both the countries and forge national consensus with political parties on the foreign relations matters.

Background

Narayan Khadka, aged 72, was sworn in as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal on September 22, 2021. His oath of office and secrecy was administered by President Bidya Devi Bhandari in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He is the fifth minister to be appointed in the Deuba government, formed on July 13. There are now seven ministers in the government.

Views of Khadka on foreign policy

He argued that, foreign policy of a country is not specific to any political party. Thus, he would work towards forging national consensus with other political parties on foreign relations. According to him, issue of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Agreement would also be resolved,

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Agreement

MCC compact agreement was put forward by United States. Under the US $500 million MCC programme, US government would provide grant assistance that would be utilised to strengthen Nepal’s transmission line in order to facilitate the export of hydro-electricity to India in near future. It also seeks to improve the road networks in Nepal.

India–Nepal relations

Both the countries initiated their relationship in the aftermath of 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. India is the largest trade partner and largest source of foreign investments in Nepal. India also provides transit for third country trade of Nepal. Indian are engaged in manufacturing, services power sector and tourism industries in Nepal.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2021