Although there was a controversy when Sujata Koirala was nominated to lead Nepali Congress in the government, she was appointed as the foreign minister. Daughter of NC president Girija Prasad Koirala, Minister Sujata is also in the forefront of party. After her appointment as Foreign Minister, SUJATA KOIRALA gave first exclusive interview to KESHAB POUDEL. Excerpts:

Do you realize that the storm over your induction into the cabinet has not died down yet?

There was no storm as such. Some did not like it. That’s all. But a large number of youth party members are happy. They believe that my appointment opens the way for them in the Congress politics. I don’t care what others say about me. All I want is to work for the Nepali people and the Nepali Congress. I have been working for the party for 18 years in different capacities. I was asked to withdraw my nomination in the Pokhara General Assembly though I was in a firm position to be elected to the Central Committee. Many district presidents have supported me.

Support of the party president and your father Girija Prasad Koirala was crucial, no?

Of course, I am daughter of Girija Prasad Koirala but I have been active in politics for a long time. His influence has had nothing to do with my success. I have been working with party workers. I have devoted almost all my time to the political party. Although as a daughter, I do have relations with my father.

If you have made such a big contribution to the party why such opposition from within the party?

I don’t understand it. There are many who are jealous of my success in politics. I was not picked up by anybody. I have own my political role. I have always been a part of Nepali Congress and I took part in all the struggles launched by my party.

But you lost the Constituent Assembly elections. Did not you?

The constitution clearly states that anybody can be appointed as a minister, I don’t understand why they are only pointing fingers at me. So far as the election in my constituency is concerned, they were completely rigged. The then election commissioner rejected my request to recount and to conduct re-polls in some booths.

How can one expect the government to deliver the goods when it has not even been unable to expand the cabinet for three weeks?

Of course, there has been a delay. This is because all want to have consensus. This government will be stronger in the coming days as all the parties have agreed to back us. We are also trying to bring in the Maoists. Their participation is crucial in the constitution making process. We are in dialogue with Maoist leaders. We also want the support of Maoists to restore rule of law and stability. Only through the active participation of Maoist, you can write the constitution. The situation is fluid as the peace process is not moving smoothly.

If it takes more than three weeks to give a complete shape to the government, how can you guarantee that this government will last?

The time does not matter. Had the prime minister done a poor job in expanding the cabinet, it may have bitter political results. It may take couple of weeks to expand the cabinet but will have good results and lead to national consensus. Better late than hurry.

Maoist leaders have been saying that this government will fall within three months.

I have not read such statements. Instead, even Maoist leader Prachanda congratulated me by telephone after I became minister. I requested him to join the government and to make it a national government.

Don’t you think a new alternative alliance will be made?

It is impossible now.

Now you have been appointed to the important office of Foreign Minister. How do you plan to go about?

Foreign affairs is not foreign to me. I have been actively working in the party’s foreign affairs department for quite a long time and I visited different parts of the world in that capacity. I have met various leaders and diplomats.

What is your priority as foreign minister?

My priority will be to strengthen the relations with our neighbors, India and China, and to maintain good relations with all the other countries.

What is the state of relations of Nepal with its two neighbors?

They are good, friendly and cordial. I want to maintain good and friendly relations with both of our neighbors as in the past. This is also mentioned in the government’s common minimum program.

Isn’t that a tall talk, given the shaky future of the government?

This government will last until we make new constitution. This government has no alternative. Of course, there are challenges. But opportunities as well. I have joined the government with the intention to bring the peace process to its logical end. As you know, Girijababu initiated the peace process, I want to complete it.

As foreign minister, what role do you see for yourself in the peace process?

As foreign minister, I have a lot of role to play. As a foreign minister, I can support the peace process by mobilizing the international community. We need moral support of international community to bring peace process to a logical end.

You don’t have the experience to run the foreign affairs. Do you?

You don’t necessarily need to be book-worm to be a good foreign minister. Your experience can guide you. The country’s situation will tell you how to work. In this era of globalization, I can do a lot of work. As Girijababu declared there is going to be an all-party committee to guide the government, and that committee will also guide me. This is a government of consensus and such committee will play an important role whenever there are misunderstandings.

How can you hope to do your best when foreign ambassadors do bypass the foreign minister and directly meet prime minister?

Every ambassador can meet prime minister but there should be prior coordination with the ministry regarding such meetings. At least the foreign ministry should receive information on what matters they discuss.

Do you have any plan to introduce any mechanism for this?

I am new in the ministry. I am still considering whether or not to create a new mechanism. I don’t want to create misunderstandings between my ministry and the prime minister regarding such meetings. What I am considering is building institutional mechanisms so that there is coordination among us on country’s foreign policy issues.

What are your visions in Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

I want to make my ministry effective in dealing with all our friendly countries. I want to strengthen embassies abroad to protect the interest of Nepal and Nepalis.

How do you see Nepal’s relations with our two neighbors?

We have two neighbors and we have excellent relations with both of them.

But there is border dispute with India.

We will settle it through diplomatic means.

Reports say, India is encroaching upon Nepali land. But you have been reported to have given a clean chit. Why?

I have not said anything of the sort. I was quoting only preliminary reports of the officials. After final reports, I will be in a position to give a definitive answer. I have not made any comments on border issue thus far.

There have been concerns of our northern neighbor China vis-à-vis its security? How do you address their concern?

China is our important neighbor. I have already told them the government will never allow any anti-Chinese activities in Nepal. Nepal has similar policy regarding India. Nepal will not allow any activities directed at our two neighbors from our soil. The Chinese want to see Nepal as a peaceful and prosperous nation. They are supportive of our peace process.

But the Chinese are complaining that Tibetans are launching anti-China activities from Nepal.

Nobody will be allowed to conduct any hostile activities against our neighbors. This has always been the policy of Nepal. Of course, Nepal needs political stability and secure environment. This is the reason we are requesting that even the Maoists join the government. We need unity among all the political parties to bring political stability in Nepal. By establishing political stability, we can assure our neighbors.

How do you balance the relations between the rival neighbors, India and China?

India and China are our good and friendly neighbors. We will not play them against each other. We will respect their sensitivities.

Beside India and China, what is the state of Nepal’s relations with other countries?

We have very friendly relations with all other countries. Recently, the foreign minister from the UAE and assistant minister of the United States of America visited Nepal. The American minister expressed his desire to support Nepal’s development and peace process. We have also good relations with European countries. During my tenure, I will do my best efforts to strengthen Nepal’s relations with all countries. We need massive support to build our infrastructure which was devastated during the conflict. We need the support of our friendly countries to increase employment opportunities for Nepalese youth. For all these things, we need political stability.

Many people say that India and China have contradictory interests and that creates trouble for Nepal. Do you agree?

The relations between India and China are changing as both countries have made tremendous improvements in bilateral trade. This is good news for Nepal. Nepal can benefit a lot if they continue to increase their bilateral and trade relations.

Lastly, about the future of the Nepali Congress. Nepali Congress did poorly in the last elections. Internal dissension is too deep. Can the party survive?

Our party has a long history and ideology. We have had strong leaders like B.P.Koirala and G.P. Koirala and there are tens of thousands of our supporter in grass roots. I don’t think our party can be wiped out. It will strengthen. Just wait and see.

(Courtesy: New Spotlight Fortnightly Magazine)