KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has clarified that it has not expressed support for China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), despite recent claims made in a Chinese statement following high-level talks.
Speaking at a press conference held at Tribhuvan International Airport upon the return of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from China late last night, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai addressed the issue directly.
He stated that while Nepal has extended its support to China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), it has not endorsed the GSI or any other initiatives beyond that.
The clarification comes after a Chinese government statement released following the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Oli and President Xi Jinping claimed that Nepal had expressed support for the GSI.
This raised concerns domestically, given that the GSI is perceived by some as being of a military or security alliance nature—potentially conflicting with Nepal’s longstanding non-aligned foreign policy.
“Nepal has supported the Global Development Initiative. We are also part of its ‘Group of Friends’ at the United Nations,” said Secretary Rai. “However, Nepal has not supported the Global Security Initiative or any other initiatives. Please be clear on this matter.”
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