CPN-UML Condemns Former PM Prachanda’s Remarks on PM Oli’s China Visit

Kathmandu: The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) has strongly condemned remarks made by former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leader of the CPN-Maoist, in a recent interview with The Hindu. Dahal accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of “using the China card” and labelled his decision to visit China as “proof of immaturity.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, CPN-UML’s Secretary and Chief of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Raghubir Mahaseth, termed the comments baseless and irresponsible. He argued that they undermine Nepal’s sovereignty and disregard its independent foreign policy.

The party emphasized that Nepal’s diplomatic decisions are a sovereign matter and require no external validation. It further accused Dahal of jeopardizing Nepal’s balanced relationships with its neighbours, India and China, with his remarks.

The statement highlighted PM Oli’s leadership in maintaining Nepal’s neutral and pragmatic foreign policy, which aligns with principles of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence. The CPN-UML also called on Dahal to retract his statements and apologize for what it described as a breach of diplomatic decorum.

The controversy has sparked debate over Nepal’s foreign policy amid efforts to maintain balanced ties with its neighbors.