One country’s rise should not be seen as a threat to others: Nepal

NEW DELHI: Iterating that the rise of Asia is unstoppable, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said here on Thursday that “one country’s rise should not be seen as a threat to others”.

Delivering a Ministerial Address at the fourth edition of Raisina Dialogue, organized jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs and Observer Research Foundation, Mr. Gyawali said the rise of China as well as India would benefit all the nations in the region as well as the world.

Claiming that Nepal has no ill-feeling against any country, Mr. Gyawali said his country is following an independent foreign policy. “Our people are peace-loving and we are not part of any military alliance,” he added.


Gyawali criticised the US’s protectionist policies now, saying the once proponents of globalization has now become its opponents. He also criticized the Trump Administration’s decision to back off from the Paris Agreement when climate change has become a serious danger to many of the countries.

He said Nepal is worried at “the uncertain world” in future as at contest are the economies of nations, with the zero some game hurting us all, especially poor economies like that of his country.

Pointing out that almost all countries in the world, including Nepal, have benefitted from globalization and helped governments lift people from poverty, Mr. Gyawali asked why the de-globalisation is happening now? “What has went wrong? Why didn’t the leadership intervene and correct if there were mistakes? Isn’t it the responsibility of the leadership to take a long term view rather short term stand? he asked.

Gyawali said Nepal cherished India’s prosperity and appreciated the Indian government’s decision to allow cross border trade in electricity which would help his country which is rich in hydro-power.

He said Nepal and India have a reinvigorating bilateral mechanism and hoped the relations would strengthen further.

Gyawali also said that his country would work together with India to strengthen SAARC and BBIN.

He described the Raisina Dialogue as “a great platform for churning out innovative ideas”.

Over 1600 participants, including more than 600 delegates and speakers from 92 countries, are participating in the three-day conference.