Government to ensure smooth flow of trade with China: Foreign Minister

KATHMANDU: The government is working on its part to ensure the smooth operation of trade with China, according to Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka. For this, diplomatic initiatives are being taken with the Chinese side to increase the number of cargo vehicles in the country, Khadka said. The government has repeatedly urged Beijing to find a speedy solution to the problem, as trade with China has not been able to operate smoothly and the country has suffered financially while exports have been hampered. Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka said that he had requested during telephone talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and other Chinese officials and the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal for the effective operation of the trade gateway. Speaking at a press conference organised on Monday for the first time since his assumption of office six months ago, Minister Khadka expressed his confidence that China would accept Nepal's request and resolve the issues at the trade and transit point. Stating that there were some problems with major trade ports with China due to the Covid 19 pandemic and China responded positively to solve them, he said, "Direct contacts have been established between the local authorities of the two countries for smooth communication and coordination at the procedural level of import and export." Minister Khadka said he had requested the Chinese side at all high-level meetings to assist in the supply of food in the border areas including Gorkha and to create an environment conducive for Nepali students to return to China. On a different note, he said that the Government of Nepal was committed to resolving all the border issues including that of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura with India through dialogue and quiet diplomacy as mentioned in the current government's Minimum Common Programme. Stating that he was committed to taking the close and cooperative relations with India to a new height, Khadka expressed the commitment that Nepal has raised this issue with priority even during the high-level visits and would continue it in the future as well. Saying the government has initiated the process for the appointment of ambassadors, while ambassadors have already been appointed to the United Kingdom and the USA, he said other countries would get ambassadors soon. [gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="20463"] Foreign Minister Khadka also clarified that he was committed to the Ministry's policy to appoint at least 50% ambassadors from foreign affairs service. He further said the government has failed to make recommendations for the appointment of ambassadors at the same time due to general convention of ruling coalition partners and other reasons. Minister Khadka assured of not making any further delay in the recommendation for the appointment of ambassadors. Reminding that Nepal urged to seek the solution to Ukraine's crisis through dialogue and diplomacy and has asked all sides to adopt maximum restraint, the Foreign Minister protested against the use of force against the sovereign country under any circumstances. He reiterated Nepal's stance of seeking a peaceful solution to the dispute through diplomacy and dialogue. Sharing that 533 Nepalis rescued from Ukraine had reached safer destinations, the foreign minister mentioned that the Nepali embassies in Moscow and Berlin were mobilised for the same. By RSS READ ALSO:

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