The ruling Nepali Congress on Saturday reiterated to resolve border disputes with neighboring countries India and China through diplomatic dialogue.
In its manifesto unveiled for the upcoming federal and provincial assembly polls, the party said that the existing boundary row with neighboring countries India and China will be settled through high-level talks and diplomatic dialogue thus safeguarding the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
Outlining its foreign policy priorities, the party in its manifesto, vowed to adopt an independent and balanced foreign policy in order to protect the country's national interests.
"Protection of the country's national interests, national security, UN charter, Panchasheel, international laws, non-alignment, world peace and peaceful co-existence will be the guiding principles in executing country's independent and balanced foreign policy," the manifesto said.
The party also vowed to adopt a foreign policy based on the sovereign equality. "The sovereignty of all countries is equal irrespective of their geography, economy and military capabilities. Hence, we will chalk out a foreign policy based on sovereign equality," read the manifesto.
The party said that Nepal's domestic and external challenges have become much more multifaceted in the changing international, regional, geopolitical and domestic situation.
In its manifesto, the party said that it will not allow the country's territory to be used against other countries including neighbors.
"We will not allow our territory to be used against neighboring countries or any other friendly nations," read the manifesto.
The party also vowed to adhere to all international laws, treaties, conventions, and instruments in which Nepal has been a state party.
The NC also vowed to maintain balanced ties with both the neighboring countries India and China.
"As our neighboring countries are expected become world's economic powers in the 21st century, we will maintain a balanced multifaceted ties with them and adopt appropriate policies to reap maximum advantage from their economic rise by deepening diplomatic, economic, social, cultural and trade ties based on mutual interests and equal benefits," stated the manifesto.
The party also said that it will work to enhance foreign assistance, investment and mark access through economic diplomacy. "We will prefer concessional loan or grants than the commercial loan," read the manifesto.
The party has vowed to ensure Nepal's unimpeded transit rights as a landlocked nation. It said it would work diversify Nepal's trade by developing required physical infrastructure.
The Deuba-led party also said that Nepal will not join any military or defense alliance and engage in geo-strategic rivalry or competition with big powers, directly or indirectly.
To mitigate global challenges associated with climate change, Nepal will take a lead role in international forums by pursuing a green diplomacy, read the manifesto.
On the economic front, the document targets a minimum economic growth rate of 7% for the next five years.
The party targets to create 1250,000 new employment opportunities within next five years.
"The Nepali Congress pledges to create 250,000 new employment opportunities every year in various fields including information technology, industry, tourism, construction and transport, financial sector, minerals, art and entertainment," the manifesto stated.
The grand old party, in its manifesto, has vowed to improve the access and affordability of quality health care in Nepal.
The manifesto proposes ensuring health insurance and general insurance to all citizens those who are having chronic illness within five years.
They party has vowed to provide free health check-up to people below three years and people above 73 years.
"We will ensure free health insurance to people above 65 years, differently-abled, impoverished, physically challenged, single women, women and health volunteers," the manifesto stated.
On the political front, the party has slammed the then Oli-led government for dissolving the House of Representatives twice. "We won't dissolve parliament," it said.
Amid a program held at the party headquarters in Sanepa, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also the prime minister, made public the party's manifesto for the polls scheduled for November 20 this year.
Earlier, a party committee led by party general secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma drafted the manifesto for the upcoming elections.
