Nepal-China joint border monitoring to take place

Border affairs officials of the two countries have agreed on the same.

In a virtual meeting on border matters held on July 14 it was agreed to monitor the border under the leadership of the head of the North East Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Head of the Department of Border and Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Since joint border inspection between Nepal and China has not taken place for a long time, it has been agreed to proceed with this work through mutual consultation, said Sewa Lamsal, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lamsal shared that a report will be prepared jointly on the issues observed and monitored. "A modality for such monitoring is yet to be prepared and based on it an integrated framework will be prepared for where and how to go and where to monitor," said Lamsal at a regular press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here today.

According to an agreement reached between Nepal and China in 1963 border should be monitored and updated every 10 years. However, it has not been done regularly. Spokesperson Lamsal also shared that there has been an agreement on two-way opening of the Kerung-Rasuwagadhi transit point and the one-way opening of the Hilsa border point by adopting the necessary health standards related to the COVID-19.

Likewise, the 10th meeting of the Trade Facilitation Committee established in Tibet between Nepal and China was held on July 18. During the meeting construction of physical infrastructure at the border crossing, facilitation of bilateral trade, foreign investment, development of trade infrastructure, transportation facilities, as well as simplification of customs procedures, and the timely completion of the Timure Dry Port in Rasuwa under-construction with Chinese assistance were discussed.

In response to media queries, she shared that the recent India visit of former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachand' was at the invitation of a political party and thus the meeting was arranged accordingly. However, necessary facilitation was done through the embassy on the basis of need.

The Foreign Ministry has also shared agrément has been received from the respective country on the recommendation for appointment of 16 different Nepali Ambassadors. This was among the 20 proposals made in that regard.

Spokesperson Lamsal said ambassadors have already been appointed to 13 countries and appointment to three other countries is in the process.

Likewise, she said that discussion among the concerned government bodies was necessary for the implementation of the cabinet's decision of not going ahead with the US State Partnership Program.

Saying it was important to see how to incorporate the support Nepal has receiving in past before sending a reply to the US regarding non-participation of Nepal in the SPP, Spokesperson Lamsal pointed out the need of discussion among government bodies on this issue. "It is necessary to reach to a conclusion by holding a comprehensive discussion", she said, adding the US has been providing support in different sectors including disaster management since the past.