Foreign Minister Denies Harsh German Reaction on Passport Purchase

Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has stated that the German government has not given any bitter or harsh reaction towards Nepal regarding the passport (passport) purchase process. Responding to questions from members of the National Assembly, Minister Khanal said that the discussions that have come out in this regard are not true.

It had come out that Germany had called Nepal's embassy and expressed dissatisfaction regarding the involvement of a German company in the passport purchase process and the subsequent controversy.

In this regard, Minister Khanal said, 'It is true that a meeting took place between the acting ambassador of the Nepali embassy in Berlin and officials of the German Foreign Ministry, but there is no truth in the claim that the German government gave a bitter reaction.'

Minister Khanal said that it is a natural diplomatic process for companies of the concerned country to show interest when an international tender is called and for the concerned government to inquire about it.

'It is normal for the government of a country to inquire about the interests and concerns of its companies,' Minister Khanal said, 'That meeting with the acting ambassador was cordial like other meetings.'

Minister Khanal stated that the passport purchase controversy is currently under consideration by Nepal's judicial bodies. 'As the matter related to passport purchase is currently sub judice in the court, its final resolution will be in accordance with Nepal's prevailing laws and judicial process,' Khanal said.

Minister Khanal stated that such procedural matters will not affect the decades-old friendly and cooperative relations between Nepal and Germany. He claimed that the government is working in a transparent and lawful manner on sensitive issues like passports.