RAUTAHAT, JULY 13

CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal said that Nepal could not afford to become a battlefield for powerful countries.

Speaking at a programme in Gaur Municipality today, the CPN (US) chief underscored the need for the country to maintain friendly relations with all countries.

'We shouldn't allow Nepal to be a battleground for the conflict of powerful countries nor should we allow it to be an experiment ground,' said the CPN (US) chair and the former prime minister. He shared his party's vision of bolstering the sovereignty and independence of the country and thereby leading the country on the path to development.

Responding to a query if the Chinese Communist Party's Foreign Department Chief's visit to Nepal, in the wake of the ratification of MCC, suggested increased Chinese interest in Nepal, the leader tried to dispel doubts, saying it was a usual visit.

'It was Lieu's first visit to Nepal upon appointment as the chief of the Foreign Department chief. As we wish to move ahead by making friendly relations with all, his visit here was part of this relation-building,' the CPN (US) leader said, adding, that there were talks to make the relation between Nepal and China, and CCP and CPN-US stronger during his party's meeting with the visiting Chinese leader.

Regarding the MCC, the ruling coalition leader noted that the grant programme was ratified with an explanation and he went on to say further that Nepal would never be a party to the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

'MCC is a financial assistance package, and we want it to be so; Nepal can't afford to be part of America's security policy or strategy,' he clarified.

Nepal also stressed the need to give continuity to the current coalition and contest in the upcoming election as an alliance.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 14, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.