KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Gyawali has reiterated the Government of Nepal’s stance of peace, security, and abidance of international laws in relation to the use of seas.

Addressing the Fourth Indian Ocean Conference held in the Maldives, Minister Gyawali stressed the need of an architecture based on partnership, inclusiveness, and collaboration among the South Asian countries, including Nepal, and utilization of resources and sharing of the benefits.

Minister Gyawali also expressed the view that as Nepal’s international trade passes through the Indian Ocean, Nepal remains concerned about several non-traditional security threats, such as illicit trafficking of drugs and weapons, piracy, and human trafficking.

He urged all nations concerned for collective actions to address such threats in an effective manner.

Likewise, he also informed Nepal’s emphasis on establishing seamless connectivity in air, roads, and waterways in a bid to facilitate trade, transit and movement of the people.

Minister Gyawali informed Nepal’s plan of developing inland waterways in the big rivers in cooperation with India as to bring into operation its own commercial ships in the international waters.

On the occasion, he also invited the dignitaries attending the conference to participate in the Sagarmatha Sambad in Nepal to be held next year.