Nepal maintains friendly relations with India and China in 'balanced' manner: PM Oli
Nepal maintains friendly relations with both India and China in a 'balanced' manner, Nepal Premier KP Sharma Oli said on Monday, underlining that occasional problems between neighbours are 'natural'' and can be resolved through 'open dialogue'.
Prime Minister Oli stated, 'We do not allow our territory to be used against any of our neighbors.'He highlighted that Nepal, a Himalayan nation, maintains 'good and friendly relations with both neighbors in a balanced manner, guided by honesty and neutrality.'
The 72-year-old leader, who has served as prime minister four times, acknowledged that it is normal to have occasional disputes with neighboring countries but stressed that 'open dialogue' is the key to resolving these issues.
'We adhere to the principles of the United Nations and strive for neutral and peaceful solutions to problems,' Oli said, adding that it is not always appropriate to blame geopolitical factors for internal shortcomings.
He also urged India to accept the report prepared by the Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG Report), which includes recommendations for revisiting the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty. Oli believes that accepting this report would facilitate dialogue on resolving border disputes and other bilateral issues.
Prime Minister Oli, often viewed as pro-China, was instrumental in the signing of the 2016 Transit and Transport Agreement (TTA), which granted the landlocked Himalayan nation access to Chinese sea and land ports for its international trade.