Good relations with neighbors a must for prosperity: Dr Bhattarai

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML’s Foreign Affairs Department Chief Dr Rajan Bhattarai has said that maintaining good relations with neighboring countries India and China is crucial to achieving the goal of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’.

Speaking at a roundtable on ‘Foreign Policy Issues in the Changing Context’ organized by UML’s Foreign Affairs Department on Friday, Bhattarai emphasized the need for continuous dialogue and discussions to establish good relations with India and China. “Dialogues and discussions are the only ways to resolve problems and improve relations,” he said, adding that Nepal should now focus on promoting economic diplomacy. He also stressed the need to prevent foreign interference and said that Nepal should not sway towards any particular country.

“Our party’s policy is to make Nepal independent by eliminating foreign interference,” he added. Bhattarai also said the 1950 treaty with India is unequal and has become irrelevant. Regarding China, he said Nepal should implement the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and gain maximum benefit from it.

Dr. Bhattarai added that UML’s foreign policy is to work in the interest of Nepal and the Nepali people without coming under the influence or pressure of anyone.

Dr. Anjan Shakya, secretary of the department, facilitated the roundtable.

On the occasion, other members of the department also shared their views on the UML’s foreign policy in the changing context.