KATHMANDU, JULY 29

Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka today said the government had written a letter to the United States of America about Nepal's decision to shun the State Partnership Programme.

Speaking in the House of Representatives, he said, "We informed the US government in writing about Nepal's decision not to participate in the SPP through diplomatic channel on July 25. It took a bit long to formally communicate to the US government due to requirement of internal consultation for that."

On the government's alleged delay in correspondence with the US, Minister Khadka added, "The Government of Nepal's take on the SPP was and is still clear. The government is capable of maintaining an independent and balanced foreign policy."

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on June 20 had decided not to participate in the SPP amid protests from both the main opposition CPN-UML and some coalition partners.

Lawmakers, meanwhile, demanded that the government disclose contents of the letter sent to the US. As many as 20 CPN-UML lawmakers, including Bhim Rawal, Shiva Maya Thumbahamphe, Pabitra Niraula, Surya Prasad Pathak, and Ghanashyam Khatiwada demanded that government disclose the contents of the letter through the sovereign Parliament.

"We want the government to read out the letter in this House, in addition to providing a copy to International Relations Committee of the Parliament," they insisted.

Responding to queries raised by lawmakers, Khadka urged opposition lawmakers to take at face value the explanation given by a minister standing at the rostrum of the HoR about the correspondence with the US.

"The government has formally communicated to the US about its clear stance on the SPP in line with the decision of the Council of Ministers.

"Therefore, I request you all not to doubt the decision of the government of a sovereign country," said Khadka. He said disclosure of contents of the letter would be diplomatically inappropriate.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 30, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.