Nepal’s relations with democratic friends as warm as ever: Foreign Minister Pandey

February 1, 2006
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Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey (File Photo)

Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey (File Photo)
Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey has said it is not correct to say that Nepal has neglected her relations with democratic friends such as India and the United States of America.

In an exclusive interview with Nepalnews, the Foreign Minister said relations with them today are as warm as they were in the past. “In fact, we are more respectful of their genuine concerns and sensitivities than we were in the past. There has been no change in our policy. A number of high-level contacts have taken place and the process is continuing. We remain committed to further consolidating relations with all the friendly countries in the world,” Pandey said. “We want friendship with all, enmity with none,” he added.

Responding to a query if Nepal was moving closer to China after the royal takeover, Minister Pandey said Nepal and China enjoy trouble-free and all-weather friendship based on profound trust. “Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs is one of the defining features of foreign policies of Nepal and China. As regards Russia and Pakistan, Nepal enjoys good relations with both countries. In the last one year, we have given due priority to what our relations with these countries deserve,” he added.

One of the senior members in the royal cabinet, Minister Pandey defended the royal move of Feb. 1, 2005 saying that His Majesty the King had to step in to fill in the political vacuum in the country and to bring what he called “the de-railed democracy back to track.”

It is precisely because of improved security situation that we are holding the municipal elections on February 8, which is less than a week away, the Minister said. The sovereign people of Nepal will finally exercise their constitutional right to cast ballots after a gap of seven years, he added.

Minister Pandey described the role of the institution of monarchy in Nepal as an “emergency light” based on will and consent of the people. “The idea of emergency light is well understood that whenever and wherever the normal supply of electricity is disturbed for whatsoever reasons, the emergency light becomes an urgent need and when the normal supply resumes; the emergency light is automatically switched off. This is what exactly His Majesty is doing,” he said.

Referring to the seven party opposition alliance’s call to boycott the municipal polls, Minister Pandey asked, “Don’t you think it is an irony to demand for the restoration of democracy and simultaneously call for a boycott of elections? How on earth are we to have elected representatives without elections? And, how are we to restore democracy without conducting those elections?”

Responding to a query regarding his memoir, Minister Pandey said he has divided his memoir into two parts in terms of time period: the first volume will cover the period up to 1984, and the second from that period onwards. The first volume is almost complete, he said.

“Foreign Ministers in office usually don’t publish their memoirs because of two reasons: First they don’t want to risk their job by bringing out so many truths and historical facts and second they simply don’t have the time for academic work. I will see, if I can be the exception,” he added.