Experts confident of int’l support to new constitution

Kathmandu, September 17

Ex-diplomats and foreign policy experts are confident that the new constitution will get an overwhelming response from the international community as the charter has been endorsed by 85 per cent votes in the Constituent Assembly.

“The constitution has been written following the universal principles of democracy. So, there is no doubt that the international community would welcome and support it,” said Dinesh Bhattarai, foreign affairs adviser to the prime minister.

“We don’t believe that the international community that supported the last CA elections will not endorse the document prepared by the same CA,” he said at the Reporter’s Club.

“Already, some key countries have already extended their support and we are expecting the same from other neighbouring and friendly countries.”

Former Nepali ambassador to China, Tanka Karki, said China would welcome the charter unequivocally. “China always wishes to see peace and stability in Nepal,” Karki said. “China’s only concern in Nepal is about its border security.”

Saying the new statute would ensure peace and stability in Nepal, Karki stated that the new constitution was also in the broader interests of two neighbouring countries — China and India.

Echoing Karki, former ambassador to India, Durgesh Man Singh, said India always wants peace and stability in Nepal and expressed confidence that New Delhi would also wholeheartedly welcome the new constitution set to be promulgated on September 20.

Former foreign minister and ambassador to India, Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, said the government can garner full support for the new constitution if we make diplomatic efforts for the same.

Stating that a complete constitution has never been promulgated at once anywhere in the world, he suggested looking into the document to ensure that it has fully incorporated the principles of the United Nations and other international treaties.

Former ambassador to the United Kingdom, Suresh Karna, said the government has succeeded in garnering support from the world community and hoped that the new statute of Nepal would set an example for other countries as well.

Former ambassador to Denmark, Vijaya Kanta Karna, however, claimed that the document might not get widespread international support since it has not adequately addressed the issues of groups like Madhesis and Janajatis.