DPM Thapa says India eager to end crisis in Nepal: DPM Thapa to visit China on December 3

Kathmandu / December 20: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamal Thapa, on Sunday, said the Indian government was eager to end the crisis emanating from the obstruction on import and transit.

DPM Thapa spoke to journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) after returning from the United Kingdom where he attended a welcome reception hosted by the British government on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Nepal and Britain.

“As the Indian government is inclined to seeking solution to the problem, the blockade will likely end soon and the situation will return normal,” he hoped.

DPM Thapa said the government is making efforts to seek political solution through dialogue on demands raised by the Madhes-centric parties. “We are closing in on finding a solution; understanding has been reached on some subjects,” DPM Thapa said.

The Minister spoke of the praises of the British ministers on the new constitution stating they called it a ‘milestone’ which upheld the essence of democratic principles while being inclusive in character. He briefed the British ministers thoroughly on the crisis faced by the country in the wake of the obstruction at the border.

During his official visit, DPM Thapa held talks with his British counterpart, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, British Secretary for Department for International Development (DFID) and Law Secretary bilateral interest, common concern and interest.

The British government expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis and pledged necessary support if needed.

The United Kingdom is the first country with which Nepal established diplomatic relationship. The British government has been providing huge economic support to Nepal.

DPM Thapa said he has drawn the attention of the British government towards the unequal treatment in allowance and pension received by Nepali Gurkha soldiers serving in the British Army. He also broached the pending case of Nepal Army Colonel Kumar Lama, who was arrested in Britain on charge of human rights violation during the decade-long insurgency in Nepal. Lama had gone to Britain for holidaying after taking leave from peace keeping mission in Southern Sudan.

DPM Thapa also extended an invitation to British Prime Minister David Cameroon from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for an official visit to Nepal.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa is scheduled to pay an official visit of the People’s Republic of China from December 24-29.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sunday stated that DPM Thapa is going to visit China at the invitation of the Chinese government. He would set out to Chinese capital city, Beijing, leading a Nepali delegation on December 23.

Deputy Prime Minister Thapa would hold bilateral official talks with Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China in Beijing on December 25 and meet with high level political leaders of the People’s Republic of China during his visit, DPM Thapa would return home on December 29. RSS