KATHMANDU, SEP 06 - In a major foreign policy deliberation, Nepali Congress (NC) has identified the management of India-China relations as an important challenge to Nepal.

In its first proposed foreign policy doctrine since the 90s, the party has sought to bring some clarity to its thinking in the changed geo-political context. “Following the abolition of monarchy and establishment of democratic republic, Nepal itself stands on the brink of distinct and drastic transformation. At this juncture, managing the India-China relations becomes the most challenging foreign policy issue,” NC said. The party central committee endorsed the doctrine this week, which will be submitted in the party’s 12th General Assembly slated for Sept. 17- 21.   

The policy paper entitled, “Foreign Policy and International Relations

of Nepali Congress” prepared by a team led by senior party leader Sher Bahadur Deuba states that Nepal has become a key strategic location in South Asia after the end of the Cold War. Underscoring the importance of balancing the relationship between the two giants, the paper recommends a foreign policy based on mutual trust and respect for neighbours’ sensitivities.

“On the one hand, we have to be cautious toward India’s security concerns, and on the other, we have to uphold the commitment to the one-China policy. Given the fact of Nepal’s location between these two big giants, as a good neighbour, NC wants to expand and strengthen its bilateral relations based on natural, mutual trust and interests of these two countries which would be the core priority of its foreign policy,” the paper reads.

The doctrine also outlines a vision of resolving border dispute and inundation at the highest technical and diplomatic level.  

NC has also called for further democratisation of the UN structure. Reaffirming its commitment to regional organisations like SAARC, BIMSTEC, and Shanghai Cooperation, the party has suggested using such multilateral forums to secure regional investments, tourism promotion, export promotion and trade diversification. Recalling the establishment of residential missions during the tenure of the NC government in countries like Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Denmark, Australia, Israel and South Korea, the party has called for further expansion of Nepal’s diplomatic presence in Italy and Austria, Afghanistan, Bhutan, the Maldives, and central Asia for potential access to energy resources. The doctrine also denounces possession of all kind of nuclear weapons. The policy has some tough words for Bhutan. “We denounce the human rights violation of Bhutanese refugees by the Bhutanese regime.”

“International initiative for third country settlement of Bhutanese refugees was a matter of conscience and free will of Bhutanese refugees. However, their right to return to Bhutan and dignified living is also part of the democratic and fundamental human rights, which NC supports,” the doctrine says.

Posted on: 2010-09-06 08:17

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