China commends Nepal's decision not to move ahead on SPP with US
China commends the Nepal government's decision not to move ahead on the State Partnership Program (SPP) with the United States, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, Xinhua reported.
Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on the issue.
Wang said that the program had been widely controversial in Nepal, as various political parties and factions, the government, the army and people across the Nepali society see the SPP as a military and security initiative closely linked to the Indo-Pacific Strategy. They consider it against the national interests of Nepal and its long-held non-aligned, balanced foreign policy to be part of the SPP, according to Xinhua.
"As Nepal's friendly and close neighbor and strategic cooperative partner, China commends the Nepal government's decision," Wang said, adding that China will continue to support Nepal in upholding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and support Nepal's commitment to its independent and non-aligned foreign policy.
"China stands ready to work with Nepal to jointly safeguard regional security, stability and shared prosperity," said the spokesperson, according to Xinhua.
China hosts BRICS meeting amid rising economic concerns
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday is hosting a virtual summit with the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa collectively known as the “BRICS,” amid rising concerns over the global economic outlook and a growing political divide between Beijing and New Delhi, Associated Press reported.
While no agenda has been issued for the talks, Ukraine is likely to feature heavily in the background. China has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion while criticizing sanctions brought against Moscow. India has bought large amounts of Russian oil at a heavy discount, and South Africa abstained on a United Nations vote condemning Russia’s actions.
Along with Xi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are scheduled to join the two days of discussions.
China has sought to use the BRICS meetings to further its vision of an alliance to counter the US-led liberal democratic world order while expanding its economic and political footprint.
That has produced few tangible results, but Xi remains committed to the idea of an alternative — and principally authoritarian — global governance mode, investing heavily in countries like Cambodia while cracking down on civil rights in Hong Kong and boosting its military to assert its claims in the South China Sea and threats to annex Taiwan by force.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday is hosting a virtual summit with the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa collectively known as the “BRICS,” amid rising concerns over the global economic outlook and a growing political divide between Beijing and New Delhi, according to Associated Press.
While no agenda has been issued for the talks, Ukraine is likely to feature heavily in the background. China has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion while criticizing sanctions brought against Moscow. India has bought large amounts of Russian oil at a heavy discount, and South Africa abstained on a United Nations vote condemning Russia’s actions.
Along with Xi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are scheduled to join the two days of discussions.
China has sought to use the BRICS meetings to further its vision of an alliance to counter the U.S.-led liberal democratic world order while expanding its economic and political footprint.
That has produced few tangible results, but Xi remains committed to the idea of an alternative — and principally authoritarian — global governance mode, investing heavily in countries like Cambodia while cracking down on civil rights in Hong Kong and boosting its military to assert its claims in the South China Sea and threats to annex Taiwan by force, Associated Press reported.
Ramayana Circuit train arrives in Janakpur (In pictures)
The Ramayana Circuit train "named "Bharat Gaurav tourist train” of India carrying 500 Indian pilgrims arrived in Janakpurdham of Janakpur on Thursday.
The Indian train carrying religious tourists arrived in Nepal with an aim to strengthen the cultural ties between Nepal and India.
Chief Minister of Madhes Pradesh Lal Babu Raut, Tourism Minister Shatrudhan Mahato, people’s representatives and locals among others welcome the tourists at the Janakpur-based railway platform.
The train that started its journey to Janakpur from New Delhi via Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Panchvati (Nasik), Hampi, Rameshwaram and Bhadrachalam on Tuesday.
The two countries signed the Ramayan Circuit agreement during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Janakpur visit four years ago.
'Medical mafia influencing govt decision'
Nepal Workers and Peasants Party Chair Narayan Man Bijukchhe has accused the medical mafia of preventing Bhaktapur municipality from getting permission to upgrade Khwopa College into a university and running medical classes there.
While inaugurating the 12th assembly of Bhaktapur Municipality here today, the leader said the municipality had proposed to the government to grant the status of university to the college and allow it to introduce MBSS classes at a very reasonable price.
"But our plan to ensure MBBS programme within the locality got aborted due to the medical mafia," he said, adding that medical mafias were active in making sure that the government does not accept the proposal.
He took time to say that the nation and people were suffering due to the dominance of those leaders who have no idea about the country's needs. "Those in power are ignorant about nation's geography, conditions and history."
