Minister Khand, ambassador Pollitt discuss Nepal-UK ties

Kathmandu, Aug 25: UK's ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Kathryn Pollitt today held a courtesy meeting with Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand.    

During the meeting that took place at the Ministry of Home Affairs, the two discussed the matters relating to the further consolidation of bilateral ties.    
On the occasion, Minister Khand thanked the ambassador for the successful completion of the Integrated Programme for Strengthening Security Justice (2014-2021) supported by the UK government.    

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UK had on October 2021 endorsed the continuity of the programme (second phase) and today's meeting was held in the context of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries in this regard, according to the Home Minister's secretariat.    

During the meeting, the Minister said the programme had its role in increasing people's access to security and justice, combating gender-based violence and further consolidating the police-community relations in the first phase.    

Similarly, he expressed his gratitude to the UK government for responding to Nepal's request to revise the MoU draft so as to ensure additional support to the Nepal Police during the implementation of the second phase of the programme.    

During the meeting, the UK government representative expressed her concern about the transitional justice situation in Nepal. In response, the Minister said the government is committed to implementing agreements reached with various political parties and even the rebel parties for the management of political conflict.

The agreements with the Netra Bikram Chand (Biplav)–led group, Janamat Party and Tharu Welfare Assembly are in the phase of enforcement, according to the Minister.    

As he said, the government is committed to establishing lasting peace and consolidating democracy and agreements reached with various political parties towards that connection are in the phase of implementation. He also thanked the UK ambassador for the UK's contribution to Nepal for addressing the issues of transitional justice at home. (RSS)