Minister Saud: Integrated efforts needed to address issues of oceans, mountains

Kathmandu: Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud has said that Nepal’s development aspirations rely on the Indian Ocean and this is a means to understand the state of Hindu Kush Himalayan’s ecosystem and climate change.

Addressing the Seventh Indian Ocean Conference organized in Perth Australia, Minister Saud said that integrated and holistic approaches were needed to address the issues of oceans and Himalayas. The Minister added that the Indian Ocean was a major partner for Nepal’s foreign trade and a lifeline to reach the international market.

The conference organized by the Government of Australia and India Foundation witnessed the participation of leaders, ministers, and representatives from think tanks from different regions and countries. On the occasion, Minister Saud said that the Indian Ocean should be viewed as a center of civilization, not merely limiting it to geography.

‘The Indian Ocean should be viewed from geopolitics, geo-strategic and economic importance,’ Minister Saud added. Minister Saud added that the Indian Ocean has been facing both traditional and non-traditional security threats.

He stated that it was a matter of unfortunate that terrorism, robbery, smuggling of narcotics drugs, and weapons, human trafficking, illegal migration, and obstacles to navigation freedom have stood as serious security threats.

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