Prime Minister Shah meets Chinese envoy as he drops group-only diplomatic approach

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has shifted from his policy of collective engagement with foreign diplomats, opting instead for individual meetings. On Monday, he met with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar. This meeting occurred shortly after Shah held a separate one-on-one session with Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava.

These engagements represent Shah's first individual meetings with resident foreign ambassadors since assuming office on March 27. Previously, he had adhered to a practice of holding joint meetings with ambassadors, including sessions on April 9 and May 26. His current approach underscores the equal importance Nepal places on its relationships with its two immediate neighbors, India and China.

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We need to further deepen Nepal’s “historic relationship” with China and work together in areas of mutual interest.

The meetings with the Indian and Chinese ambassadors were initially scheduled two weeks prior but were postponed due to communal violence in Sunsari and other districts. During his discussion with Ambassador Zhang, Prime Minister Shah emphasized the importance of deepening Nepal's "historic relationship" with China and fostering collaboration in mutually beneficial areas. Ambassador Zhang conveyed congratulations to Shah and affirmed China's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation.

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We are committed to further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.