Mar 18, Kathmandu- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that Nepalese have been told not to join the Russian army.

Speaking at today's meeting of the House of Representatives, Foreign Minister Shrestha presented the statement. He said that the government is working to bring back the Nepalese who joined the Russian army and were imprisoned in Ukraine. Shrestha said that after taking charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he talked with the Russian Foreign Minister and discussed with the Russian Ambassador to Nepal several times.

He also said that there is a need for national consensus on foreign policy and diplomacy. The foreign minister suggested that political parties and parliamentarians and public representatives should express themselves sensitively in diplomatic relations. He said, "There is a need for national consensus in matters of foreign relations and diplomacy. We need to keep the interests of our country at the center and move forward with consensus in this matter. While we are putting the interests of our country at the center, if we allow other interests to prevail for some reason, if we are affected by it, there may be serious challenges in protecting the interests of the independent, sovereign national sovereignty given to us by our ancestors. In this matter, let's have a national consensus on matters of foreign relations, policy and national interest".

Foreign Minister Shrestha said that independent foreign policy, skillful and efficient diplomacy with economic diplomacy and soft power should be utilized. He said that India and China have friendly relations with neighbouring countries and other countries.