Kathmandu, December 6
Amidst mounting criticism for his participation in and the receiving of an award from the controversial Asia Pacific Summit earlier this week, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has defended both.
Speaking on a weekly television show on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister said he knew why the decision to take part in and received the Leadership and Good Governance Award was not wrong.
He, however, maintained that he did not want to engage in any ‘debate’ with the intellectuals who criticised him for his role in the function.
The Prime Minister said Nepalis had a culture of welcoming its guests heartily, and the government just followed the tradition by letting the controversial Christian organisation organise its function here.
He added that the function gave Nepal an opportunity to promote its identity as it was attended by delegates from 45 countries.
“Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus came, and we welcomed them all as guests,” he said, “We do not ask which religion they belong to while issuing the visa or sending invitations.”
