KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal has said that Nepal should be developed as the economic, digital and strategic bridge of Asia by transforming Nepal’s geographical location into an opportunity.

Addressing a programme entitled ‘Stirring Nepal’s Future in Asia’s Rising Century’ organized by the Asia Society in New York today, Minister Pun

said Nepal should not take geographical challenges as limits to national aspirations.

Stressing the need of changing the perception of viewing Nepal as a ‘small country’, he said Nepal was in a strategically important place, according to the Foreign Minister’s Private Secretariat.

“Nepal is not small. Nepal is strategically in the right place,” Minister Khanal said, adding, “The size of our neighbors is the reality of geography, but it should never be the limit of our ambition.” He said that Nepal should not be considered only as a small country, comparing Nepal’s geography and population with that of other countries.

Referring to the recent floods, Minister Khanal termed it as a ‘Himalayan Tsunami’. “Nepal has been facing natural disasters, difficult geography and structural challenges for a long time,” he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Khanal said that the recent disaster has given a clear message that climate change should be taken as a strategic priority of Nepal’s foreign policy. He stressed the need to prioritize effective early warning system, exchange of water data, climate finance based on predictable grants and practical cooperation with neighbors and the international community.

Describing the rise of Asia as a significant opportunity for Nepal, he said that about 60 percent of the world’s population is in Asia and Asia has a big contribution to the world economy. Minister Khanal said that Kathmandu can be developed as an important center of economic and social transformation of Asia. “Our question is not how to survive between the two big neighbors. Our question is how will Nepal create value among them and beyond?” he said.

He said that Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and national luminaries like Araniko and Bhrikuti have made Nepal an important contact point of Asian civilization and culture. “Our forefathers understood one clear truth: connectivity creates prosperity and isolation increases poverty,” Minister Khanal said.

Stating that Nepal’s hydropower generation capacity can be linked to regional economic transformation, he said clean electricity is being exported to Bangladesh via India. He also said that the global supply chain can be linked to Nepal by expanding production in the special economic zone along the border.

Minister Khanal stressed on developing multi-dimensional trans-Himalayan connectivity including road, tunnel, dry port, air service, digital connectivity and cross-border railway.

Minister Khanal welcomed the US, Europe, ASEAN, Latin America and other partners for investment, collaboration and partnership in Nepal.