Kathmandu, March 16: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the national security and defense should be strengthened through timely implementation of the approved action plan of the national security policy.

Speaking on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the National Security Council Secretariat here today, Prime Minister Deuba said that an action plan for the effective implementation of national security and defense has been prepared and sent to the concerned ministries and agencies. The chairperson of the National Security Council, he said that since its inception, the secretariat has been assessing the internal and external security challenges of the country and giving suggestions to the government for objective evaluation and analysis.

Stating that the Security Council has the responsibility to formulate policies related to the country’s overall national interest, security and defense, and to recommend to the government for the mobilization and control of the Nepal Army, he expressed happiness over the fact that the Council has faithfully discharged its responsibilities on important and sensitive issues like security.

He said, “I am pleased to see that the Secretariat has discharged its responsibilities with utmost integrity and sincerity”.

He expressed confidence that the secretariat would function more effectively in the coming days by fulfilling the administrative responsibility as well as the major responsibility of providing proper opinion and suggestions on national security backed by in-depth research on important issues from the point of view of national security.

Secretary at the Ministry of Defense Kiran Raj Sharma said that the National Security Council was working with high priority on issues such as internal security and defense challenges of the country.

According to information shared on the occasion the guidelines on National Security Policy, 2075 BS will be implemented from today. (RSS)