Kathmandu, March 6:

Foreign affairs experts and leaders of political parties today emphasised on a fixed foreign policy that should be come in the interest of the country.

Nepali Congress (NC) central member and the chief of the party foreign department Sujata Koirala said foreign policy should address the issues of the grass root level. She also said that Nepal should cash in on the water resources.

Former representative to UN, Dr Jaya Raj Acharya said Nepal’s heavy dependence on foreign aid not only for its socio-economic development but also for its security would be a factor influencing its internal politics and foreign relations.

“In Nepal, it is a testing time for all national and international forces, requiring intensive diplomacy, which has to be based on a wide national and international consultation with multi-prolonged approach,” he said at a programme organised by New Media Club Nepal here today. Former SAARC secretary general Yadav Kant Silwal argued that the cancellation of King’s visit to the 60th UN general assembly has made a serious setback in Nepal’s foreign affairs policy.

NC (Democratic) leader Dr Minendra Rizal lamented the way the current ruling establishment is issuing “lip reply” to its friendly countries. “Cursing the neighbours and friendly countries will have an adverse impact on the foreign policy,” he said. Former envoy to Japan, Bishnu Hari Nepal suggested the ruling establishment to be “pro-active” rather than “reactive” to ensure a smooth foreign policy. “The foreign policy should be in the national interest,” he said.