Kathmandu. General actor Rajesh Hamal has said that Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has expressed dissatisfaction over his statement. Expressing dissatisfaction over Swarnim Wagle’s statement, he said that Nepal’s foreign policy should be based on national sovereignty, self-respect and long-term principles.

Making his views public on Facebook, Hamal said that Finance Minister Wagle has crossed the limits of ministerial jurisdiction. He said that there is a risk that the Finance Minister’s statement will weaken the basis of Nepal’s long-standing principle-based foreign policy.

“Such behaviour would undermine the dignity of Nepal’s sovereignty and also make a mockery of the historical relations between India and Nepal,” he said.

“Nepal’s foreign policy is not an issue to be operated as per any individual’s personal decision or political interest,” he said, adding that no public official should make statements in a way to weaken Nepal’s prestige in the international arena.

Stating that Nepal-India relations are deeply intertwined with geography, history, culture and people-to-people relations, he said that efforts should be welcomed to further strengthen the relations between the two countries. However, he stressed that the Nepali representatives should present the national views with dignity and balance by using diplomatic prudence.

“Nepal-India relations are historically very important and strategically sensitive. It should not be limited to personal performance or statements that become the subject of public ridicule,” Hamal implies. Finance Minister Dr. Wagle’s statement has shown excessive servile, servile behavior towards India, he said.

He also reminded that there are unresolved issues like border disputes and economic dependence in Nepal-India relations. He said that the government should give priority to established diplomatic channels, evidence-based arguments and cordial dialogue on such issues rather than provocative statements and ostentatious commitments.

Stating that friendship with neighbouring countries and commitment to Nepal’s sovereignty were complementary obligations rather than each other’s competing objectives, Hamal said that Nepal could be a reliable partner only if it is confident about its identity as an independent nation and clear about national interests.