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Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has said that economic diplomacy is at the center of the country's foreign policy.

He said this while addressing the international conference on 'China and South Asia in a Multipolar World: China–India–Nepal Trilateral Relations in an Evolving Regional Order', in Lalitpur today.

Minister Khanal said that the purpose of economic diplomacy is to improve the living standards of Nepali citizens and to create opportunities in trade, investment, employment, entrepreneurship, tourism, technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

According to the Foreign Minister's Secretariat, he stated that Nepal can play a 'dynamic bridge' role to expand economic, trade, and people-to-people cooperation between China and South Asia, and emphasized to both neighbours that Nepal is sensitive to sovereign equality, mutual respect, mutual interests, and each other's concerns.

He said that Asia’s rapid economic transformation has created unprecedented opportunities for shared prosperity, and that cooperation is the reliable means for sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

"Economic diplomacy has become a central priority of our foreign policy. Nepal is ready to cooperate with all friendly nations for sustainable, inclusive, and progressive development," said the Foreign Minister.

He maintained that the economic growth of China and India has provided new opportunities for neighbouring countries, including Nepal, to expand trade, attract investment, develop infrastructure and connectivity, promote tourism, and enhance economic cooperation.

Although there are huge opportunities for economic growth in South Asia, the reality is that relatively regional economic integration has not been achieved. 

The Foreign Minister mentioned that if connectivity, easy trade, investment flow, and supply chains can be strengthened, it won't take long for this region to become prosperous.

"The success of our collaboration shouldn't be measured by how many agreements we made, but by how many opportunities we were able to create for our citizens," he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized that the incumbent government has reiterated making economic transformation a national priority and has particularly focused on quality investment, infrastructure development, export promotion, tourism, clean energy, digital transformation, innovation, and private sector development.

Stating that the development of China and India is seen as an opportunity for the country's economic progress, he clarified that the government's goal is to develop the country from being landlocked into a dynamic bridge connecting China and South Asia.

Minister Khanal opined that the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the spiritual heritage of Guru Padmasambhava, Mount Everest, and various World Heritage sites have further strengthened the country's soft power.

Pointing out the need to strengthen regional cooperation, energy security, climate change, digital transformation, research, innovation, and people-to-people relations, he stressed on the importance of enhancing collaboration between universities, research, and scholarly institutions.

Emphasizing the need to build partnerships based on trust, mutual respect, and common interests in a multipolar world, Foreign Minister Khanal said that Nepal is committed to playing a constructive and positive role in that direction.

The conference was jointly organized by the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement and the South Asia Study Center of Fudan University.

The meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) is taking place at 1 pn today. 

According to the Federal Parliament Secretariat, four bills would be tabled in today's HoR meeting. 

The Federal Parliament Secretariat stated that Chairperson of State Affairs and Good Governance Committee Hari Dhakal is scheduled to table the Committee's report on Bill Relating to the Revival of Former Provisions of the Nepal Special Service Act-2042, 2083. 

Likewise, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah would table a Bill relating to the Remuneration, Conditions of Service and Facilities of Office Bearers of Constitutional Bodies, (First Amendment) 2083. 

Similarly, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari is scheduled to table "Mines and Minerals Bill, 2083' at the HoR meeting. 

The Secretariat shared that Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security Sita Badi would table the Human Trafficking and Smuggling (Control) First Amendment Bill, 2083.

The Federal Parliament Secretariat's General Secretary Padhma Prasad Pandey shared that Foreign Affairs Minister Shisir Khanal is scheduled to table the Passport Bill (First Amendment), 2083.

The Supreme Court has issued an order for reviewing its verdict on a case relating to legitimacy of the Nepali Congress (NC), which is now being led by Gagan Thapa.

A full bench of Chief Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma and Justices Nitya Nand Pandey and Shree Kant Paudel on Thursday allowed for the review of SC's earlier decision on NC's leadership/legitimacy. 

Then president of NC, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and then acting president, Purna Bahadur Khadka, had appealed to SC for review of its decision. In response, SC gave consent to hear the petition. 

Earlier, Justices Saranga Subedi and Nripadhwaj Niraula had issued a decision, recognizing the working committee led by Gagan Thapa, who was elected president through the special general convention held on April 17.

Minister for Home Affairs Sudhan Gurung has said that the government is active in maintaining peace and security in the country. 

Responding to lawmakers' queries in the meeting of the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament, today, he mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs is active in maintaining law and order, peace and security in the country.

Home Minister Gurung emphasized that MPs should also be sensitive when raising questions on sensitive issues.

“The issues you all have raised are quite sensitive. When a member of someone's family passes away, does repeatedly reminding them of it bring peace to the grieving family?” he asked. The Home Minister said that since an investigation is ongoing on the matter, it would not be appropriate to comment on it.

Stating that a detailed investigation is underway on this matter, he said, "I request all the honorable members of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly not to repeatedly raise this issue."

However, he said that they could personally ask him about such matters. 

Home Minister Gurung was referring to the Nirmala Pant case, mentioning that he did not want to comment on the case. 

MP Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma said that he felt his legislative rights were violated by the minister's statement and reminded that the process of MPs asking questions and ministers answering them is a natural part of parliamentary practice.

In a different context, the Home Minister said that coordination is needed among the federal, provincial, and local governments on mental health issues.

"Our country has gone through a lot of ups and downs. That's why governments at all three levels are working together to create mental health plans. Efforts to prevent suicide are being made through the 1166 helpline," he said.