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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has commended courageous peacekeepers from around the world, particularly those serving at present in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In his address to an event jointly organized by the Ministry of Defense and the Nepali Army at the NA Headquarters today to mark United Nations (UN) Day 2024, the Prime Minister said UN peacekeepers' unwavering dedication and fearlessness in the face of increasingly complex challenges and hard situations exemplify the true spirit of peacekeeping and inspire all of us to uphold global peace and security.

Highlighting the significance of the Day, he said the moment offers an opportunity to reiterate our steadfast commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. "For decades, we have been a persistent advocate of peace, equality, cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of conflict in the international arena. Our long contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, international treaties, and disarmament efforts reflect our dedication to global tranquility and harmony. I am immensely proud of our peacekeepers, whose tireless dedication has left a lasting mark on conflict-affected regions in every nook and corner of the globe."

Sharing the features of Nepal's foreign policy with the gathering, he said Nepal always adheres to the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect for sovereignty, and non-interference. "Our position as a nation located between two large neighbors demands that we maintain a policy of "Friend to all and Enmity to none".

He went on to say that Nepal is firmly committed to multilateralism, strongly believing that global challenges like climate change, poverty, and security challenges, starkly require collective and multilateral solutions.

He said Nepal being a responsible and effectively engaging member state in the international community would like to play a constructive role to move forward peace, stability, and sustainable development all around the world.

"Today, I would like to remind all of us that our partnership and collectiveness reinforce the UN to effectively carry out its critical missions, often in some of the world's most challenging environments," he said. 

 The Prime Minister acknowledged with deep gratitude the spirit of collaboration that drives the UN country teams, UN field missions, and Specialized UN agencies working diligently across the globe. As he said, their dedication to development, peace-building, and humanitarian support is a shining example of how united efforts can create lasting and positive change for millions of people.

The Prime Minister said Nepal is proud of its long peacekeeping history and is committed to sending skilled and competent peacekeepers whenever the UN calls for it. "However, peace operations are facing growing challenges. They are increasingly at risk from violent groups and dynamic security situations. Conflicts are becoming more and more complex so conflict management and resolution require strong international support and solidarity."

Against this backdrop, countries like ours must provide forces with the tools needed to stay safe while carrying out their missions, Prime Minister Oli stressed, adding that the government fully supports efforts to ensure the safety, training, and readiness of our peacekeepers. "We are also deeply committed to the meaningful participation of women as their participation exhibits a symbolic representation by which women's empowerment is established in a conflict-ridden society."

He reminded the gathering that Nepal has wholeheartedly endorsed the "Declaration of Shared Commitments" in support of the “Action for Peacekeeping” (A4P) initiative and its enhanced version, the “A4P Plus Initiative” spearheaded by the United Nations. These initiatives reflect our broader vision of collective global security and Nepal’s readiness to shoulder its responsibilities as a responsible member of the international community, he added.

Addressing the event as the Chief Guest, the Prime Minister stressed the need to recognize the broader challenges the global community faces, particularly the urgent global environmental concerns on this occasion.

He utilized the forum to say that countries like Nepal, despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, are disproportionately affected by these crises. It is marred by the melting of glaciers, unpredictable monsoons, and a surge in natural disasters which every year takes away many lives and damages the properties." The recent monsoon disaster in Nepal with the regrettable loss of lives and properties is evident enough of the growing challenges we face. These challenges transcend national borders as we recently saw the disastrous Hurricane Milton devastating Florida in the US. Thus, it is high time for us to collectively fight against the common threat of humankind."

Reiterating that Nepal is committed to playing its part and stands ready to collaborate with global partnerships that prioritize climate resilience and sustainability, he expressed his confidence that the UN’s continued leadership in addressing the climate change issue will guide Nepal forward for shared solutions, which are essential for the survival of vulnerable nations like Nepal.

"In this volatile and ambiguous situation around the world, Nepal remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles of the United Nations. We will continue to support global efforts to promote peace, security, sustainable development, and environmental protection," the Prime Minister said, wishing the entire UN family a joyous moment on behalf of the people of Nepal.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli presented the achievements of his government during the first 100 days in office, highlighting various steps taken to address recent challenges, including natural disasters, economic revitalization and public service improvements.

The four-time PM began his speech by mentioning significant tragedies that occurred during the period, including a missing bus incident and multiple aviation accidents, along with severe floods and landslides from Oct 10 to 13, resulting in more than 7,000 disaster-related incidents. The prime minister said these incidents prompted the government to prioritize rescue and relief operations.

The families of 391 deceased individuals received relief payments of Rs 200,000 each, while 2,555 affected families were given immediate assistance totaling Rs 45m. Additionally, Rs 430m was allocated to 71 local bodies in crisis-hit areas for essential service restoration.

The prime minister assured the public that efforts would be made to reconstruct houses damaged by last year's earthquake while rehabilitating those affected by this year’s floods. He acknowledged the impact of these disasters on government operations but asserted that progress has been steady.

In terms of youth employment, Oli emphasized the distribution of startup loans of up to Rs 2.5m to 165 youths, enabling them to initiate businesses. A total of 5,158 entrepreneurs submitted proposals for start-up loans, with selections planned for disbursement by December.

Oli also announced legal action against over 600 individuals involved in cooperative fraud, with 575 already imprisoned. He outlined plans to draft the Cooperative Authority Act to facilitate the return of depositors' savings, establish a Cooperative Credit Information Center, and create a Loan Recovery Tribunal.

Oli stressed the importance of systemic governance in combating corruption. He noted that corrupt elements were attempting to destabilize the country to protect their interests, but the government remains committed to national integrity without compromise.

Oli also reported signs of economic improvement, attributing increased confidence among entrepreneurs to the formation of key commissions, including the Economic Advisory Commission. To enhance petroleum supply and storage capacity, the prime minister said agreements were finalized to expand pipelines from Siliguri, India, to Charali in Jhapa and from Amlekhgunj to Lothar in Chitwan, alongside the construction of storage facilities.

To improve public service efficiency, Oli said a trial system for tracking files through QR codes was initiated to prevent bureaucratic delays. The Department of Industry implemented an automated system enabling foreign investments up to Rs 500m to receive immediate approval without investors' physical presence. Oli said an online service tracking system is operational in 58 survey offices, and provisions for senior citizens and disabled individuals have been made in 267 land revenue offices.

Prime Minister Oli also announced an increase in compensation for families of deceased foreign workers from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 1m, and stated that families of individuals, who die of associated conditions even after receiving medical treatment, would also receive this amount.

Oli also mentioned ‘concrete steps’ taken for the utilization of newly-built international airports—the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara Regional International Airport. The government arranged international flights by reducing the price of aviation fuel for Bhairahawa and Pokhara to attract flights. Starting Nov 10, the prime minister said flights from Dubai to Bhairahawa and from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa will commence, with Fly Dubai operating daily flights and Jazeera Airways approved for direct flights three days a week between Bhairahawa and Kuwait.

Prime Minister Oli mentioned what he called ‘significant progress’ in infrastructure projects with a breakthrough in the Dhhedre tunnel (Makwanpur), part of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track project, and completion of the lining of the Nagdhunga main tunnel. In road construction and maintenance, over the past 100 days, 4,038 km of roads have been repaired, and 32.5 km have been blacktopped, contributing to road safety.

In the energy sector, generation of 30 MW of electricity has begun at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project while the Chilime Hub GIS Substation and Trishuli Hub Hybrid GIS Substation have also become operational, strengthening the national grid.

Prime Minister Oli took the occasion to highlight the consensus reached on over four dozen acts, regulations and procedures across various ministries as one of the administration’s achievements. The government and political parties have successfully pushed the remaining tasks of the peace process, initiated 17 years ago, toward a logical conclusion, he said while mentioning the Parliament’s endorsement and the presidential authentication of the Bill to amend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act.

Oli said that while the two major ruling parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have a long history of political rivalry, they came together because of their shared commitments to political stability, development and good governance. While opposition has persisted since the government's inception, the prime minister said the government will remain resolute in its shared commitments for the greater good of the country.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that the government is clear that any alleged cases of corruption can be investigated at any time and those found responsible for such wrong doings will be held accountable.

Unveiling the government's achievements in its first 100 hundred days amidst a special program at the Singha Durbar-based Office of the Prime Ministers and Council of Ministers today, the head of government said legal actions have been launched against the misappropriation of cooperative funds on the same basis.

"As of date, over 600 individuals have faced legal actions, and above 575 are in confinement," he said, adding that the government is working on a draft to formulate the Cooperative Authority Act aimed at refunding the savings of cooperative members and establishing the Cooperative Loan Information Center and the Debt Recovery Tribunal. 

According to Prime Minister Oli, the government is clear that the prevention of corruption and the establishment of good governance can't be achieved 'overnight', they require systematic efforts, instead.

He said the law is a guiding tool for the government to respond to corruption and combat it.

He said, " We have felt the pervasive culture of evading legal repercussions in cases of corruption, protecting corrupts and abettors of corruption, and spreading instability and anarchy in the nation."

Similarly, during the address, he said the incumbent government is sensitive about addressing the concerns of farmers. He said this government has already cleared dues to 1.5 million dairy farmers.

Earlier, the government allocated Rs 600 million for their payments. Similarly, around 75,000 sugarcane farmers have also received their entitled subsidies, according to the PM.

PM Oli added that the government in this period released Rs 800 million to the accounts of Nepal Insurance Authority to cover farmers' insurance claims and paid Rs 6.75 billion to construction companies in this period.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the current government will not compromise with anyone on the issues of national interests, good governance and development. 

Unveiling the government's achievements made in the first 100 days in his office, the PM said that corruption control and maintenance of good governance was not a matter of mere publicity but should be developed as a system for good governance.

"The government has considered laws as the Guru for corruption control not the camera," the PM said, stating that the government's priority was on institutionalizing a legal system to curb corruption as a result.

With the purpose to protect corrupts and agents of corruption amid the fear of languishing on corruption charges and the desire to escape from actions, we have seen such elements being active aiming to create instability and anarchy in the country, PM Oli said.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the current government was successful in completing the remaining jobs of the peace process.

In his address to the nation to share the government's achievements in its 100 days today, PM Oli said the bill to amend the Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was passed unopposed from the federal Parliament and was also authenticated by the President.

"A search committee has been formed to constitute the Commission so as to conclude the peace process. This has advanced the process for the constitution of the commission," PM Oli shared.  

This is a pleasing message to our society that witnessed a long insurgency, PM Oli said.

A delegation led by Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee member and Secretary of Qinghai Province Chen Gang called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, they discussed strengthening mutual relations between the two countries and two parties, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed.

Saying that the overall development along with the end of poverty in China under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and General Secretary Xi Jinping was extraordinary, Oli, who is also the Chairman of CPN-UML, said that Nepal wants to benefit from that development.

Stating that a new government was formed in collaboration between the two major parties UML and Nepali Congress for political stability, Prime Minister Oli hoped for China's continued support in Nepal’s economic development.

Since there are government-to-government, people-to-people and cultural relations between the two countries,  Prime Minister Oli said that the exchange of high-level visits should be continued.

The Prime Minister reminded that Nepal has always been clear in not allowing Nepal’s land to be used for any kind of activities against China while remaining committed to the One China Policy.

Chinese leader Chen said that he came to Nepal at the direction of General Secretary Xi Jinping and clarified that China will always support Nepal in its effort to head towards the path of prosperity.

Saying that he will respect the decision made by the political parties of Nepal, he said that he will inform the General Secretary about the matters that came up during the visit.

Prime Minister Oli’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, UML Secretary and Head of Foreign Affairs Department Raghuvir Mahaseth, Department’s members Anjan Shakya and Gopal Khanal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song and others were present in the meeting.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has underlined the need for all sides' efforts to cope with disaster.

PM Oli said it while receiving a memorandum submitted by the CPN (Maoist Center) at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singh Durbar, on Sunday.

The Maoist Center drew the PM's attention on making systematic the works of search, rescue and relief distribution in response to the recent floods and landslides that took toll in many districts.

PM Oli vowed the government would take a lead in togetherness for disaster risk reductions. The problems facing the country due to disaster can be tackled together, he added.

Senior Vice Chairman of the Maoist Center, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, said all sectors should play their roles for disaster preparedness, and post-disaster works as search, rescue and relief distribution. Response to disaster is the collective responsibility, he added, expressing commitment that his party was ready to work together with the government for disaster management.

Also accompanying Senior Vice Chairman Shrestha were leaders Agni Sapkota, Dev Prasad Gurung, Barsha Man Pun, Janardan Sharma, and Pampha Bhusal, among others.

Even Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak was present on the occasion.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli acknowledged that the government was not adequately prepared for the devastating floods and landslides that struck Nepal on Sept 27 and 28. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Oli stated that the scale of the disaster had exceeded expectations.

“We were not prepared for this kind of situation,” he admitted. “We did not expect that there would be this kind of rain, landslides, and such extensive human and physical damage.”

The Prime Minister explained that preparations had been made based on forecasts from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, which had predicted heavy rain, but the intensity and impact of the disaster were far beyond previous experiences.

Oli was in New York attending the United Nations General Assembly when the disaster occurred and returned to Nepal on Monday. He emphasized that despite being abroad, he was closely monitoring the situation. “Even though I was outside the country, I was aware of the situation here. I also did not expect that it would be this severe,” he said.

The Prime Minister assured the public that the government has done its best to provide relief and carry out rescue operations. “It’s not that nothing was done, the government did its best,” Oli said, while acknowledging potential shortcomings. “There may have been some weaknesses, but giving priority to one area may have delayed efforts in others.”

He praised the efforts of security personnel, stating that over 4,000 people had been rescued.

With the immediate focus on rescue and relief, Oli called for unity in facing the crisis. “This is the time to focus on rescue, relief, and reconstruction for the pain the people are going through,” he said. “This is a common national pain, and we must face this disaster together.”

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, 224 people have lost their lives, 24 are missing, and 158 have been injured in the floods and landslides, which affected 21 districts, including Kavre, Lalitpur, Dhading, Kathmandu, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli, and Makawanpur. The estimated damage to infrastructure, including drinking water, roads, energy, irrigation, and livestock, amounts to Rs 17bn.

Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal provided further updates, noting that agricultural crops have also been severely affected. The government plans to complete the search and rescue operations within two days and distribute relief through a one-door system. Temporary housing will be provided for the homeless, and efforts are underway to reopen blocked highways.

The government has urged all sectors to come together to ensure swift recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the distribution of relief support to the people hit hard by floods, landslides and inundation following incessant rain has already started.

At a press conference organized at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today, he said the search and rescue of the citizens in the disaster would be completed within the next two days.

Prime Minister Oli made it clear that necessary arrangements have been put in place for free treatment to the injured and to prevent and control the public health problems that may arise after the disaster.

The government was proactive in operating basic services including water supply, roads, telephone and electricity, he claimed.

According to information shared on the occasion, so far 224 people have lost their lives, 24 are still missing and 158 have been injured due to the disaster while 4,331 people who are at high risk have been rescued and shifted to safer places.

Kavrepalanchowk, Lalitpur, Dhading, Kathmandu, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli and Makawanpur are among the 21 districts most affected by the disaster.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has appealed to all to help the people suffering due to floods, landslides and inundation, by considering it as the pain of the nation.

At a press conference held today at the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers at Singha Durbar, Prime Minister Oli urged one and all to support the search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts underway across the country. "This pain is not only the government's concern, but the whole society's pain. We are all saddened by the disaster," Prime Minister Oli said.

"Damage has also occurred due to some structural shortcomings. In the future, when the structures are built it will be made as such to withstand disasters and stronger in the long-term," he noted.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli expressed his commitment to correct shortcomings, if any, in the rescue and search operations due to the large-scale disaster that the government had not anticipated and hence not prepared for. He emphasized that the state and the society should make maximum use of the available resources to address the current adverse situation in the country.

KP Sharma Oli

I start by sharing how honored I feel to address John F Kennedy Jr. Forum at Harvard today. I extend my deepest appreciation to the President of the University, for the generous invitation and excellent arrangements for this event. I feel singularly privileged to stand in this enormous temple of knowledge and wisdom. With all modesty, I stand here to share Nepal’s perspective on transitional justice and climate justice.

First, let me delve into the issue of transitional justice in Nepal.  

As you may know, our country suffered a decade-long armed violence from 1996 to 2006 which resulted in around 17,000 deaths of Nepali people. But we have since come a long way from it, which started with the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Accord between the rebels and the government in 2006. 

Following the Accord, we first held an election to the constituent assembly in 2008 to write a new constitution. However, the disagreements in the assembly resulted in its dissolution without adopting a new constitution. Even then, the first constituent assembly undertook a consequential action--turning Nepal from an autocratic kingdom to a democratic republic by abolishing 240 years long monarchy. The country has also been transformed from unitary to federal state.

The second constituent assembly, elected in 2013, promulgated a new constitution in 2015, solidifying previous gains made in the field of restructuring and democratizing the state. The constitution marks the culmination of our nation’s struggles for democracy that started in the 1950s.  The constitution guarantees a competitive multiparty democratic system of governance, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, full freedom of the press and concept of the rule of law with a view to building an inclusive and prosperous nation. 

In a nutshell, our constitution comprehensively addresses the underlying drivers and catalysts of conflict through substantial social, political and economic reforms. This is a brief scenario of Nepal’s peace process and political transformation. Transitional justice is an integral part of our peace process.

Although transitional justice has remained on the backburner for several years, it was not forgotten. An attempt has been made to resolve this protracted issue of transitional justice. Back in 2015, we established two transitional justice mechanisms, namely, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Commission on Enforced Disappeared Persons. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission alone collected nearly 67 thousand complaints from all over the country and even settled some of them. 

But due to the frequent changes in the government, the issue of transitional justice was delayed for some 18 years after signing of the peace Accord. Now, my government has been formed in a coalition of major two parties of Nepali politics not only to give stability but also to better deliver to Nepali people. These two political parties have a long history of leading the people for their freedom and prosperity. 

In this context, I am happy to share that immediately after the formation of my government, the Transitional Justice bill was passed by the parliament with near consensus. This time, my government is determined to conclude the issue of transitional justice once and for all.

I want to assure you that the process of transitional justice will protect victims’ rights and interests, including legal remedies. It will involve seeking truth, providing reparation, and bringing perpetrators of serious crimes to justice. No blanket amnesty will be given. 

Nepal’s peace process is a nationally led and nationally owned unique process. Unique in the sense that all political parties from the left and right came together and concluded the ‘Peace Accord’. As we move to the last mile tasks of the peace process, we welcome support and encouragement from the international community including our partners in the process for effective implementation of the TJ Act.

We are determined to conclude TJ process to heal the wounds and scars of the conflict period and help the entire society move forward with a sense of reconciliation, peace and harmony. In fact, Nepal is inherently a non-violent, tolerant and peaceful society as it is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, an apostle of peace.

Now, let me turn to the subject of climate justice.

Our Mother Earth is in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ in terms of Earth’s distance to the Sun.  As the right atmosphere had evolved in the subsequent period, life came to existence on earth. The making of this process took several billion years. Long story short, today, we descendants of ‘Homo sapiens’ rule the surface of the planet earth.

What we know now is that the last two hundred years’ anthropogenic activities have been rendering irreparable damage to the natural ecosystem and atmosphere of our mother earth thereby leading to the destruction of billions of years of evolution in no time.  Axiomatically, it will invite the extinction of life on earth.

Now, the whole world is suffering. But the least developed countries are suffering the most as they do not have resources and technologies to manage adverse impacts of climate change. Moreover, while we have just started to make initial steps for economic development, the problem of global warming and climate change has come our way with increased incidence of disasters. It came to us from the outside world, far from our borders. The cumulative impact of hundreds of years of burning of fossil fuels have largely created these catastrophic problems. 

This is a gross injustice meted out by the advanced industrialized economies with their centuries of exploitation of nature and emissions of greenhouse gas that are largely responsible for the global ecological harms, endangering our very existence. Against this fact, it is entirely rational to call for climate justice. And for us, climate justice is plain and simple: those who pollute the environment have to pay proportionately. Developed countries and major economies must take proportionate responsibility to support developing nations for climate actions, through adequate resources and technology transfer. The major emitters must lead from the front in healing and rehabilitating Mother Nature, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. The establishment of a “Loss and Damage” fund in the recent UN Climate Change conference was a positive step in recognizing the principle of climate justice, whereby those most responsible for emissions should cover the damages.

If we truly believe in democracy and justice at a global level, then wealthy nations who are responsible for climate damage must compensate for the loss and damage of essential infrastructures and livelihoods of people in vulnerable countries.

The stakes are nothing less than our collective existence. The world cannot continue with a wrong model of carbon intensive development. We must take proportionate actions to limit global warming and climate change, preserve nature, transition to greener economies and embrace a sustainable path forward. We are in the same boat. If we don’t work together to keep it afloat, we will sink together. 

My country Nepal has set an ambitious goal of reaching net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the global target.

Despite being one of the lowest emitters of greenhouse gasses, Nepal is one of the most climate vulnerable countries. We have become a barometer of climate change.

Nepal has hugely been contributing to the health of our planet through its forests, mountains and rivers. Yet, despite these efforts, we continue to bear the brunt of climate change, created largely by the actions of industrialized nations.

Our mountains play a crucial role in regulating the climate and ecosystem of oceans and mountains, with their snow-fed rivers flowing down to the oceans. Nepal’s Himalayas, as a natural climate stabilizer, help maintain a cooling system in a region situated in the hottest zone of the planet between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

But our Himalayas are losing their ice at an alarming rate endangering the lives and livelihood of billions of people based on the river system originated from the Himalayas. 

Neither the heat of the hottest regions nor the ice of the cold poles caused this destruction. It is humanity that has harmed nature, and in turn, nature is contributing to the climate crisis. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect nature, and in doing so, we must preserve our mountains and forests.

I conclude by stating the obvious: the climate crisis is an unprecedented crisis that engulfs the entire planet. Therefore, it requires commitments, solidarity and collective action on an unprecedented scale.

Thank you for your attention.

Remarks by the Prime Minister Oli in John F Kennedy Jr Forum at Harvard University

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has requested the airline companies to sell air tickets at a discounted price or at the same rate as before.

Due to the increase in the number of air passengers, the airline companies were heavily criticized by the public when they charged higher fares than before without any genuine reason.

"At a time of such a disaster, we request the airlines to help the passengers by taking fares from passengers at a discounted price or at the same rate as before," Prime Minister Oli wrote on social media. "We all have to together face the natural disaster that has befallen us."

Prime Minister Oli has also informed that the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of Nepal has made a special decision for air passengers and rescue flights.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi met for 30 minutes on the sidelines of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. This meeting from the Nepali side marks the first face-to-face interaction between the two leaders since they resumed their roles as prime ministers in their respective countries. 

For both Prime Ministers, this meeting comes at a pivotal moment. Having taken office for the fourth time, Oli has become one of Nepal's most experienced political figures, though his cumulative time as Prime Minister has only amounted to four-and-a-half years. This current tenure could extend for two more years, depending on the power-sharing agreement between Oli and Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba. If the agreement holds, Deuba will assume leadership in the second half of the government’s term. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been India’s Prime Minister for a decade, serving his third consecutive term. This time, however, he leads a coalition government, which comes with certain constraints, although he remains a strong leader. Modi's leadership has significantly shaped India's foreign policy, and in recent years, his administration has adopted a more cautious, pragmatic approach to regional diplomacy. India's response to developments in neighboring countries like the Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka reflects this careful balancing act. 

Following the meeting, both leaders took to social media to express their positive impressions. Prime Minister Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "India-Nepal friendship is very strong, and there is a desire to make it stronger in the future. Our discussion was on issues like energy, technology and trade." In response, Prime Minister Oli also posted on X, stating that the meeting was "fruitful" and that various aspects of bilateral relations were discussed. While the meeting was brief and took place on the sidelines of the UNGA, it nonetheless signaled an important shift in tone, where both leaders seemed keen on fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.

Though sideline meetings like this one often do not involve detailed agenda-driven discussions, they are critical in building rapport between leaders. Exchanging warm greetings and briefly touching on key issues is often a good first step in clearing any lingering misunderstandings or tensions. The recent Oli-Modi meeting appears to have achieved this, creating a more favorable environment for addressing both long-standing and emerging issues between the two countries.

Reports suggest that the two prime ministers agreed to activate various bilateral mechanisms to resolve pending issues between Nepal and India. Currently, there are more than a dozen such mechanisms in place, many of which have been underutilized in recent years. Reinvigorating these mechanisms could provide a platform for addressing long-standing challenges such as border disputes, trade issues and developmental cooperation.

Over the past few years, Nepal’s perception of India has evolved, with India being seen more as an indispensable partner for development. The once-prevalent anti-India sentiment within Nepal has been visibly diminishing, and there is a growing recognition that cooperation with India is crucial for Nepal's economic growth and stability. This shift in public and political sentiment provides a timely opportunity for both countries to move forward on mutual concerns.

One significant aspect of the meeting, highlighted by Nepal's Foreign Minister Rana, was Oli's formal invitation for Prime Minister Modi to visit Nepal. In a departure from the traditional diplomatic practice of Nepali prime ministers visiting India first, this time Modi will visit Nepal before Oli makes a reciprocal visit to India. This move underscores the importance both countries place on revitalizing their relationship. According to Foreign Minister Rana, preparations for Modi's state visit are already underway, signaling that both sides are ready to engage in more substantive talks in the near future.

The spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amrit Rai, further emphasized a positive atmosphere created through the meeting, stating that it has helped strengthen the atmosphere of trust between the two countries. According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Modi took the opportunity to congratulate Nepal for becoming the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Modi also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the shared challenge of climate change.

While the New York meeting was brief, it lays the groundwork for a new normal in Nepal-India relations. Moving forward, the relationship between these two neighbors will largely depend on addressing three key areas: development cooperation, resolving historical disputes, and building trust between their leadership.

Focus on development cooperation: Nepal and India need to orient their bilateral relationship on areas where both countries share common interests, particularly in development cooperation. Nepal, given its economic size and financial limitations, cannot offer direct development assistance to India. However, India's grants, loans and joint ventures are critical to Nepal's infrastructure and energy development. Hydropower projects, in particular, represent a major area of potential collaboration. The goal of generating 10,000 MW of hydropower over the next decade, along with projects like the Janakpur-Ayodhya railway, dry ports and initiatives under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) framework are all areas where India can play a transformative role.

Nepal must ensure that these development partnerships are implemented efficiently, with proper mechanisms in place to honor commitments. However, India must also refrain from using development aid as political leverage for achieving her strategic goals. Both sides must commit to a spirit of cooperation where development serves the broader goal of mutual benefit rather than political maneuvering.

Dispute resolution: There are long-standing issues between Nepal and India, many of which are legacies from the past. Issues such as border disputes and political map disagreements have been sources of tension, but these matters can be resolved only through diplomatic dialogue. Both sides must be willing to let these issues take the necessary time rather than allowing them to escalate into more serious conflicts. Nepal should also work to address India’s legitimate security concerns, while ensuring the protection of its own sovereignty and interests. Both countries should sit together with the evidence to resolve these contentious issues.  

Building trust: Perhaps the most crucial element in Nepal-India relations is the need to build a strong foundation of trust between the political leadership of both countries. Mistrust has often arisen due to the rhetoric from leaders for domestic political purposes. While political leaders may sometimes make statements to satisfy their domestic constituencies, diplomacy requires a more measured and consistent approach. Both countries need each other’s support to flourish, and this can only happen if their leaders trust and respect one another.

In their new terms, Prime Ministers Oli and Modi have taken the first step toward rebuilding this trust. If they can continue along this path, the future of Nepal-India relations will be mutually beneficial.

Views are personal

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said as the largest contributor of troops and police to UN Peace operations, Nepal is ready to further enhance its contribution to global peace and security.

Addressing the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Oli called on the international community to march ahead without comprising the prosperity and happiness of future generations.

Explaining about Nepal's efforts for the establishment of peace after the armed conflict, he said that the Parliament passed the Transitional Justice Bill to settle transitional justice issues once and for all.

PM Oli shared, "The incumbent government, formed by the collaboration of two major political parties, is determined to secure stability while driving economic transformation for the inclusive and equitable prosperity to our people."

"We have been conducting our foreign policy with profound belief in ‘Amity with All, Enmity with None. Nepal is committed to further strengthening its close, cordial, and constructive relations with its immediate neighbors and beyond, rooted in the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and peaceful co-existence", added the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Oli stressed the need of resolving the Israel- Palestine conflict through peaceful dialogue.

"Nepal will be graduating from its LDC status by 2026 and we are diligently working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. But there is a financial gap of about 24 billion US dollars to attain the 2030 Agenda, he opined.

First Lady Radhika Shakya, Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba, Prime Minister's Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa and other members are the in PM's official delegation.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed on promoting natural health care approaches to prevent infections and reduce the need for antibiotics, thereby supporting the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

PM Oli was addressing the High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as part of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

The theme of the AMR session was - “Investing in the present and securing our future together: accelerating multi-sectoral global, regional and national actions to address antimicrobial resistance.”

Stating that Antimicrobial Resistance has emerged as a critical global public health issue, the PM said Nepal has placed AMR as a top public health priority, recognizing the importance of a ‘One Health’ approach.

"As part of our commitment to fighting AMR, Nepal’s National Health Policy of 2019 has also prioritized AMR as a major public health issue, underlining the need to regulate and control antibiotic use effectively," he said, adding that Nepal has formulated a National Action Plan on AMR and introduced National Antibiotics Treatment Guidelines to provide clear direction.

However, national efforts alone are insufficient to combat threats posed by AMR, the PM said and Nepal, therefore, calls for a robust collaborative global response.

He said, "First, we must adequately invest in health infrastructures, research, and development. Second, we must advance sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming, which promote healthy lifestyles and secure food safety, while simultaneously protecting our environment. Third, there is an urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks and surveillance systems to monitor the use of antimicrobials across sectors. Fourth, stronger international collaboration is essential for the development of new antibiotics, alternative treatments, and innovative solutions."

Noting that Nepal has developed a vision of ‘Nirogi Nepal – Healthy Nepal’ to promote overall health of Nepali people, PM Oli on the occasion asserted that our efforts are directed to minimize the use of antibiotics and foster a healthier, more sustainable future. "Let us work together to safeguard the future of people and planet, leaving no one behind," PM Oli exhorted.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba and the United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UN-Women, Sima Sami Iskandar Bahous, held a meeting in New York on Thursday.

During the meeting, Minister Rana lauded the UN-Women for the works it has been carrying out in the women empowerment field.

She said that Nepal is always eager to work together with UN-Women for gender equality.