Kathmandu, October 13 Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has said Nepal is expanding its diplomatic relations. Addressing a programme organised here today by Journalists’ Society of Province 5 on the occasion of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath, the foreign minister claimed that Nepal had strengthened its international relations. He also said that the incumbent government was able to  express Nepal’s concerns on various international issues at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly held in New York recently. “The participating heads of state and the heads of governments as well as diplomats sought appointment with us for meetings on the sidelines of UNGA, which shows that Nepal’s relations have been expanding in the international level,” he said. Foreign Affairs Minister Gyawali stated that the government had improved relations with China and India and it had also started resolving issues that remained unattended for many years. He added that the government had taken the country on the path of development through collaboration with China for the construction of the North-South Railway and with India in the agriculture and water resources development. The minister also maintained that the government was committed to promoting the country to a medium-income country by 2030. Stating that the government had spent eight months in implementing the constitution, he said it would work to guarantee good governance by controlling corruption. Minister Gyawali stated that lately the credibility of media had been questioned and said new law had been introduced not to curtail press freedom but to to make the press more dignified. Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista said the country could not march towards prosperity until the problems of poverty and unemployment were resolved. He added that poverty and unemployment could be eradicated by mobilising youths and using natural resources available in the country.