Issuing a statement on July 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that the Nepali Government has taken note of the ‘interpretations’ of the remarks by the PM on the occasion of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya’s birth anniversary.

The MoFA has clarified that PM Oli’s intentions were only to cite the need for further research on related facts about Ayodhya and Rama.

“The remarks made by the Prime Minister are not linked to any political subject and have no intention at all to hurt the feeling and sentiment of anyone,” reads the press statement.

“As there have been several myths and references about Shri Ram and the places associated with him, the Prime Minister was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research of the vast cultural geography the Ramayana represents to obtain facts about Shri Ram, Ramayana and the various places linked to this rich civilization,” stated MoFA.

“The remarks were not meant to debasing the significance of Ayodhya and the cultural value it bears,” added MoFA.

The Ministry further reiterated the significance of honored cultural affinity between Nepal and India.

Earlier on Monday, PM Oli made an off-the-mark comment claiming that India is manipulating cultural and historical facts by creating a fake Ayodhya, which in fact lies in the west of Birgunj.

PM Oli’s controversial remarks came at a time when the diplomatic relations between Nepal and India were at a delicate stage over border issues.

The post MoFA Clarifies PM Oli’s Controversial Remarks on Ayodhya! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Celebrating the occasion, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli had a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged greetings and expressed satisfaction on the bilateral relations that grew exponentially over the past 60 years.

PM Oli escalated the need for the transfer of Israel’s sophisticated technology to Nepal’s agriculture and health sectors. He also thanked Netanyahu for taking care of Nepalis in Israel.

“The Prime Ministers agreed on the exchange of high-level visits at an appropriate time for the expansion and deepening of bilateral cooperation,” stated the Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

According to the MoFA, around 12,000 Nepali migrant workers are residing in Israel.

The conversation also covered the effective measures taken by the respective governments to contain the coronavirus spread.

Likewise, Nepali Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi exchanged greetings on the special occasion.

“The two Foreign Ministers have expressed happiness over the 60 years of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and touched upon the potential areas of expanding cooperation, including trade, human resources and agriculture, among others,” said MoFA.

Nepal was the first country in South Asia to establish diplomatic relations with the Jewish State on June 1, 1960.

Former PM Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala has set the foundation for Israel-Nepal ties by visiting the Jewish State in 1960.

Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa made the last notable visit to Israel in May 2016.

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According to the Government Spokesperson Gokul Baskota, the government has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to file candidacy for the non-permanent seat at UN Security Council for 2037-38 term.

Moreover, the government has also ordered the MoFA to intensify lobbying for the seat, said Baskota.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the MoFA Bharat Raj Paudyal informed press that they have initiated the process for filing candidacy and lobbying for the same, on December 12, 2019.

But, in order to secure the non-permanent seat at the UNSC, the Government of Nepal must carry out campaigns at national and international platforms.

Earlier, Nepal has served twice as a non-permanent member at the UNSC in 1969-70 and 1988-1989.

However, Nepal had suffered a setback in 2006.

So, Nepal is looking forward to try its luck in the upcoming term.

The post Nepal to Run for UNSC Non-permanent Seat appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Nepali Embassy Spokesperson Jeevan Prakash Shrestha revealed the Embassy’s plans to buy a new residence in a recent statement.

“The Government of Nepal has asked the Embassy to buy a new residence as the present residence doesn’t have space for parties and meetings,” says Shrestha.

As the reports say, the proposed residential property (nearly 10,000 sq.ft. area) is going to be costlier than the ex-US President Barack Obama’s new house purchased last year.

To our surprise, it is most likely to be a whopping USD 7.25 million worth property after the mandatory 3 percent closing fee set by the US Government for every buyer!

Some other sources from the Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) say the property cost is about USD 8 million with USD 20,000 maintenance cost per month.

Speaking on the property’s cost, Shrestha explained that they would not go beyond the government’s budgetary allocation.

“The house we are planning to buy is a bit expensive because only a few houses meeting the government criteria were available in the area,” he adds.

Responding to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Nepal, Shrestha clarified that there are no plans to buy residences for staffers anytime soon.

As the sources say, the Embassy had published a procurement tender notice in 2017 itself and the process is currently at a conclusion stage.

However, the move is still under government’s perusal. “Why not buy an apartment at around US$ 740,000 to 925,000 (80 to 100 million rupees) to save the cost? What is the motive behind buying an 8-9 million dollars residence when there is already a four-story residence?” MoFA asked the Embassy citing Office of the Auditor General (OAG) report.

Currently, the Ambassador is residing in a four-story residence at the heart of Washington DC.

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