Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara has noted that the cardinal principle of Nepal’s foreign policy is to maintain and develop close and harmonious relations with its immediate neighbours—India and China—and to foster maximum goodwill and cooperation with them.

“We have extensive political, economic, commercial, and cultural relations with both our neighbours,” said Foreign Minister Mahara. He added that Nepal is in a better position now than ever before to derive greater economic benefits.

In a meeting with the team of military personnel taking part in National Defence Course of Bangladesh on Tuesday, Minister Mahara said Nepal’s relations with its neighbouring countries in south Asia have remained strong, warm and friendly. He welcomed the team of National Defence College of Bangladesh at his office in Kathmandu.

He added that the visit of Bangladeshi team is a reflection of the close and cordial relationship existing between Nepal and Bangladesh, which is marked by profound goodwill, cooperation and understanding.

“We do not compare our relations with one country with that of the other. Bases and factors determining friendship and cooperation are different for each country and each bilateral relation is unique,” he said.

He added that Nepal has been working closely together with its friendly countries in South Asia bilaterally and within SAARC and BIMSTEC framework in order to meet its main tasks of strengthening democratic values and socio economic development of its people.