Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun feted former Vice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission and former Nepali Ambassador to the USA, Shankar Sharma amid a programme. At the event marking the 72nd anniversary of the Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA), Vice President Pun honoured Sharma in recognition of his contributions for socio-economic and diplomatic brilliance.
On the occasion, VP Pun and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali jointly launched the annual publication of the Council.
Addressing the event, Minister Gyawali said that incumbent government was working by taking into account the issues such as relations with neighbouring countries, safeguarding nation’s sovereignty, independence and territorial indivisibility as well as wellbeing of Nepalis and the socio-economic prosperity of the country.
Stating that Nepal was sensitive towards the genuine concerns of both of its neighboring countries, Minister Gyawali reaffirmed the government’s commitment that Nepal will not allow any anti-Indian and anti-Chinese activities on its soil. He also said that Nepal was expecting the similar kind of treatment from its immediate neigbours.
Furthermore, the Minister argued that the high-level political visits Nepal had with India and China had further deepened Nepal’s ties with both countries.
He informed that the government of Nepal was in constant touch with Indian government to address the issues relating to Kalapani. "Meetings will be held between the two parties to resolve the issue through diplomatic measures and due date for the meeting is expected to be determined soon."
On a different note, the Minister said that Nepal, as the chair of the SAARC, had made full-on efforts to give a pace to stalled SAARC process.
Informing that Nepal was also actively fulfilling its role in Asian Corporation Dialogue and Shanghai Corporation Organization, Minister Gyawali shared that Nepal was also actively working in BIMSTEC for achieving the agenda of economic prosperity and expansion of connectivity.