Miscellaneous
PM Oli voices faith in fundamental rights, freedom and democracy
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed Nepal’s unflinching commitment to democracy and fundamental freedom saying that the country would make no compromises on democratic norms, values and principles.Sanjeev Giri
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed Nepal’s unflinching commitment to democracy and fundamental freedom saying that the country would make no compromises on democratic norms, values and principles.
Addressing a programme on ‘Peace, Democracy and Development’ organised by the Asia Society in New York on Tuesday, Oli argued that democracy, development, respect for human rights and fundamental freedom were mutually reinforcing.
Presenting Nepal as the oldest independent state in South Asia, PM Oli said “amity with all, and enmity with none” remained at the core of Nepal’s foreign policy. According to him, Nepal’s foreign policy is inspired by the principles of the UN Charter, Panchsheel, non-alignment, international laws and norms of world peace.
Recalling that Nepal went through a successful peace process on the basis of inclusive political dialogue that was homegrown, nationally led and owned, Oli said Nepal managed to reconcile competing demands and aspirations of a diverse population. Oli added that Nepal’s political course led to a progressive and democratic constitution, ending the need for struggle by future generations.
Nepal shares cordial relationship with its immediate neighbours—India and China, major powers, and development partners, he added.
“Economic development and prosperity in the neighbourhood offer us promising prospects for the development of our country,” Oli said, adding that the country had played an active role in promoting regional cooperation under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
PM Oli added that Nepal’s effort on the multilateral front would be directed at promoting a rule-based, just and equitable international order in which all the states—small and big—fulfil their international obligations in good faith. Oli told the forum that the mismatch between availability of resources and the level of development below potential would end sooner or later. He presented agriculture, energy, infrastructure, transportation, Information and Technology, tourism and urban development as the drivers of economic growth.
PM Oli also took the opportunity to promote Nepal as a safe destination for foreign investment. “The government is committed to improving the business and investment climate,” he said.
Highlighting his government’s vision for national development, its limitations and challenges, Oli said: “My government has set a long-term goal of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis’ for which we need to eradicate poverty, eliminate inequality and discrimination, create employment opportunities, ensure social justice, promote good governance and ensure effective service delivery.”
The PM argued that the county aimed for a comprehensive democracy that empowers individuals in all spheres of national life. “I have the conviction that realisation of Sustainable Development Goals will make this possible.”