PM's Consultations

As part of preparedness for his upcoming visit to the United States of America (USA) to take part in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and ensuing trip to China, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has held consultations with top leaders belonging to the ruling and opposition political parties. There is a practice for any high-level government delegation to consult political leaders, foreign policy experts and national security specialists in order to discuss mutual concerns and promote the nation's non-aligned foreign policy. Leading a Nepali delegation, Prime Minister Prachanda is scheduled to leave for New York on September 16. Speaking at a meeting called at his office at Singha Durbar on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Prachanda said that the UNGA would be apprised of Nepal’s development endeavours, climate change and its impacts on the developing nations. The Nepali delegation will also let the UNGA know about the role being played by Nepal for taking the ongoing peace process to a logical conclusion. The delegation will also call for collaboration in this connection. 

The Nepali delegation will include Foreign Minister NP Saud, PM's chief political advisor, national security advisor, chief secretary, foreign secretary, high level government officials, Nepal's ambassador to the USA and the United Nations and media persons. The 78th UNGA session has kicked off since September 5. Its high-level segment is being organised from September 18-26. The UNGA holds a lot of importance as it is the main policy-making organ of the global body. After having attended the high-level UNGA session, the Nepali delegation will head to China directly from the USA on September 22. During the visit to the northern neighbour, discussions will be concentrated on the areas of mutual interests and cooperation.  The Office of the Prime Minister organised the meeting with top leaders to solicit necessary suggestions on how to make the visit to China more fruitful. Prachanda clarified that Nepal remains committed to the non-aligned foreign policy as the nation wants to maintain balanced ties with the neighbouring countries and the global community as suggested by top political leaders and diplomats. 

 The Prime Minister also apprised the meeting that he had decided to visit China straight from the USA after attending the UN event. The decision regarding the matter was taken after holding necessary consultations at the diplomatic level. During the visit to China, efforts will be laid on consolidating the Nepal-China relations and settling the issues of bilateral interests. Those attending the meeting included former prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Sharma Oli and Madhav Kumar Nepal. Likewise, Foreign Minister Saud, leaders Mahantha Thakur, CK Raut, Chitra Bahadur KC, Prem Suwal, former foreign ministers Ramesh Nath Pandey, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Dr. Bimala Paudel Rai, Prime Minister's Political Advisor Haribol Gajurel, Security Advisor Shankar Das Bairagi, Chief Secretary Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and other high-level officials also took part in the meeting. 

They stressed the need for Nepal to review the status of the implementation of past agreements. They also called on both the countries to pay attention to the issues of bilateral interests, including each other's security. Besides, the Prime Minster was urged for well preparedness for securing benefits from the visit. Various bilateral development issues, opening of border posts, enhancing trade, investment and tourism are high on agenda for the visit. The Prime Minister's official visit to China is expected to be instrumental in boosting the bilateral relations between the two close neighbours.