KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said that the government is committed to effectively utilizing Nepal’s international relations for the country’s development, economic prosperity, and the promotion of national interests.

Speaking at a program organized today by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Tokha Municipality-9, he mentioned that Nepal’s international relations are based on diplomatic, economic, cultural, and strategic relations with various countries and international organizations across the world.

He said that Nepal has been adopting an independent, non-aligned, and balanced foreign policy, and that the foreign policy is being conducted based on the Constitution of Nepal, the United Nations Charter, the principles of Panchasheel, and the values of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Minister Khanal mentioned that Nepal’s international relations are balanced, friendly, and based on multilateral cooperation, adding that the main objective of Nepal’s foreign policy is to strengthen the protection of national interests, economic development, peace, and international cooperation. “I am dedicated to ending delays within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide timely services to citizens. We have made the passport distribution process significantly easier. Passports that previously took weeks are now being provided within two to three days of application, and in some cases, even the very next day,” Minister Khanal said.

He informed that the ‘MoFA Mitra’ mobile app has been launched to address the problems of Nepalis living abroad. According to him, Nepalis who are stranded or in trouble abroad can now register their complaints directly through the app, and arrangements have been made for monitoring at the ministerial level.

He stated that work is progressing according to the ‘100-Point Commitment Letter’ made public by the government after the election, and informed that the process of investigating the assets of individuals who have held important public positions after 2006 as well as reopening old corruption files has moved forward.

He further mentioned that the number of ministries was reduced to control unnecessary expenditures. Minister Khanal expressed concern over the depleting underground water level in the Gongabu area and stated that coordination is underway with local levels for water management from the Shivapuri watershed area.

He said that since the agreement for the Ring Road expansion has already been signed with China, construction will now gather momentum, and immediate work will begin in coordination with the traffic police to remove unmanaged parking in the Gongabu area. Ram Bhakta Ghimire, the Ward Chairman of Tokha Municipality-9, stated that he is dedicated to solving the problems visible in the Gongabu-Tokha area in cooperation with the federal government.