Kathmandu, May 7
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Bhim Rawal has defended the KP Oli government’s move to recall Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Dip Kumar Upadhyaya.
Upadhyaya, speaking at a face-to-face at the Reporters’ Club on Saturday, said the government move was meant to avert — and not invite — a conflict with India.
Rawal said the government recalled Ambassador Upadhyaya because he acted against national interest, accusing Upadhyaya of associating himself with attempts o topple the Oli government.
He said: Ambassador Upadhyaya used to live his duty station without informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He visited a sensitive region like the Tarai, where a movement has been continuing, with a foreign ambassador, and involved himself in bids to topple the government. Because of this, the government recalled him.
Rawal, who is also vice-president of the ruling CPN-UML, claimed the government need not seek clarification from ambassadors before recalling them. The government wants to maintain cordial relations with India, Rawal said.
On the cancellation of President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s planned visit to India, he said the trip got cancelled because of some domestic factors, adding diplomacy had nothing to do with it. Rawal said the current ruling coalition will last till another general election, on the basis of a nine-point understanding between the UML and the UCPN-Maoist. He said the government will announce the date for local elections once parties including the main opposition Nepali Congress give their consent.
In the wake of these allegations, it’s time Ambassador Upadhyaya broke his silence. One wonders when he will do that.
