National security base is strong: PM Oli

Addressing a ceremony marking the National Security Council Secretariat’s 15th anniversary at the Secretariat’s premises, PM Oli commended the Nepali people for showing progressive thought, understanding and resolve to avoid letting destabilization from marring national and internal security during the trying times.
It is crucial to understand that if people’s belief that they remain secure is disrupted, it will weaken the internal security, PM Oli said. “It is necessary to create an environment of belief among the people that our country is secure, our society and we are secure, our rights are secure, our riches and life are secure as enshrined in the constitution,” he added.
PM Oli alleged ‘attempts’ to raise questions in connection to the security ‘in a different manner’ under pretexts of rights and constitution during drafting process and promulgation of the new constitution.
The PM expressed reservation over attempts to reverse the achievements of the constitution which ushered in a new era.
Hailing the Council’s activities centered on country’s overall security scenario, security situation, challenges, possible dangers on security, and due procedures and ways adopted to address it, PM stressed on need to do more work on research and investigation, policy development and analysis.
PM Oli termed the territorial integrity and base of security of independence and sovereignty as subjects linked to people’s security. “It is necessary to maintain the activities for efficient organization of security, investigation and research, and focus on subtle monitoring of the details of others’ activities,” PM Oli insisted.
Draft of bill of Security Council ready

Defence Secretary and Member Secretary of the Council Jay Mukunda Khanal said that the the bill related to the National Security Council has been drafted and forwarded to the Ministry of Law and Justice for editing. He added that the draft of the security policy has been prepared based on the suggestions received from the Ministry, the Council Secretariat, the Nepalese Army and bodies under the Ministry of Home Affairs in the context of the absence of a national security policy.

The draft of the security policy has been presented in the meeting of the National Security Council in the first phase. It will be approved after the Council members deliberate on it. The Council is the highest body that forms the policy and gives guidelines on issues pertaining to overall national security. There is a constitution provision of mobilising the Nepalese Army with the Council of Ministers taking a decision on its recommendation and after seeking permission from the President.

The Council shall analyze and assess the situation whether army mobilization is needed or not. The Constitution has provision for constituting a National Security Council for recommending to the government on formulation of policy on the broader national interest, security and defence as well as for the mobilisation and control of the Nepalese Army.

The members of the National Security Council include the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Finance, apart from the Government chief secretary and the Chief of the Army Staff.