This became evident in the recent announcement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) about PM’s plans to visit smaller nations.

According to MoFA, PM Oli is embarking on a bilateral visit to Vietnam and Cambodia during  May 09-15, 2019, upon invitations from the heads of two states Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Cambodia PM Hun Sen.

Visit to Vietnam has been scheduled for May 09-13, 2019 and Cambodia trip will be during May 13-15, 2019.

15-point Joint Statement with Cambodia

Nepal and Cambodia have issued a 15-point joint statement with regard to PM Oli’s visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia on May 15, 2019.

As part of his three-day visit, Oli held discussions with the President of the Senate and Acting Head of State Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, and also met Cambodian President of the National Assembly, Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakkrei Heng Samrin,

Nepal PM also participated in a bilateral discussion with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, on a wide range of issues related to mutual interest such as trade and economy, investment, tourism, culture, among others.

As part of discussions, the two sides also signed the Framework Agreement on Trade and Investment Kingdom of Cambodia and Government of Nepal, along with a MoU between the Chamber of Commerce departments of two countries.

The two leaders also address the Cambodia-Nepal Business Forum with prime focus on trade and business cooperation.

Oli will be back to Nepal on 15th May 2019 after his 8-day official visit to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Oli Addresses ‘UN Vesak Day-2019’ in Vietnam

As part of the Vietnam visit, Nepal PM Oli addressed the UN Vesak Day-2019 program held in Ha Nam Province of Vietnam on May 12, 2019.

Speaking on the occasion, PM said his country stands for Buddhism and welcomed Vietnamese to visit Nepal’s Lumbini at least once in lifetime.

The three-day program is being held under the slogan: ‘Buddhist approach to global leadership and shared responsibility for a sustainable society’.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also said Vietnam holds responsibility of upholding peace and harmony in the world.

President of Myanmar Uwin Myint also stressed on the significance of Buddhist teaching and its application in daily routine.

Speaking on the occasion, the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) President Prof Dr Phra Bramapundit said the event holds high significance at the international level as a means to spread the message of peace and harmony.

Oli is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Phuc and also meet the President of the Vietnam National Assembly, followed by Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Nepal-Vietnam Business Forum in Ha Noi.

The two sides are also scheduled to sign key bilateral agreements and MoUs that contribute to the promotion of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Similar kind of meetings are also scheduled to happen during Cambodia visit.

Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Chief Advisor and Foreign Affairs Advisor to PM Bishnu Rimal, MPs, high-profile government officials, local body & private sector representatives, and media are going to accompany PM Oli in his bilateral visits.

These trips to smaller nations come as high significance for Nepal in view of the country’s regular visits and deals with Asian giants.

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In a dismaying turn of events, the Indian Government has refused to take back demonetized Indian currency from Nepal and Bhutan.

When the demonetization drive took place on November 8, 2016, it heavily crippled both the countries who had reserves and used Indian currency; leaving behind a dent worth USD 146 million in Nepal’s reservoir.

Similarly, Bhutan is believed to have a reserve of approximately USD 450 million.

In his address to the media, Indian Finance Ministry top official Subhash Chandra Garg said, “I think they (Nepal, Bhutan) have very little INR 500 and INR 1000 currency notes. No final decision yet on exchanging of demonetized notes in Nepal, Bhutan. There are very little chances that we will accept those Indian notes lying there.”

Garg was briefing the media on the Reserve Bank of India’s annual report that declared completion of processing demonetized notes.

On April 5^, 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted saying, Addressing the Nepalese Parliament PM Oli said, “The Indian demonetization has hurt Nepali nationals. I will raise this in my meetings with Indian leaders and request them to resolve the issue.”

Another post tweeted by the Indian PM read, “India is one of the major suppliers of consumer goods to Nepal and largest trade partner. Keeping in view of the kind of business both nations indulge in, the Indian currency is widely used in Nepal & kept as savings, said Oli.”

However, the Himalayan nation has still not seen any progress and the current situation only dismisses any hope for both Nepal and Bhutan.

Conclusion:
Considering that Nepal and India have extended friendship towards each other and have decided to work collectively for their mutual benefit, we only hope that the issue of demonetized currency is resolved to continue an uninterrupted journey of development by both nations.

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In this regard, the concerned officials of both the countries have recently signed a Joint Communiqué in New York on behalf of their Heads of States and government departments, said a statement by the Nepali mission in UN.

With this, the number of Nepal’s external outreach with world nations as part of diplomatic relations reached 160.

Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to UN Nepal and Burundi, Durga Prasad Bhattarai and Albert Shingiro joined the signing ceremony.

On the occasion, the two officials held bilateral discussions on the ways to make their bilateral ties instrumental across national and global platforms.

They also discussed the scope of taking ahead the relations further on a bilateral basis and also through the frameworks such as South-south and Trilateral co-operations.

Nepal and Burundi are already the active members in various groups such as Least Developed Countries (LDC), Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDC), Group of 77, Non-Aligned Movement and Human Rights Council of Geneva.

Besides, the two countries also served as the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and members of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2002 and 2003 as a representing their respective regions.

A Step Ahead!

Meanwhile, in another update regarding Nepal-Saudi bilateral ties, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pledged its support to Nepal in its infrastructure projects through financial aid and loans.

“The state-owned Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has pledged to extend a SR 30 million loan facility for infrastructure projects in Nepal,” Nepal’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mahendra Prasad Singh Rajput said in a statement.

The envoy further informed that Nepal is currently studying the clauses of a draft agreement, which will facilitate deployment of Nepalese domestic workers in this country.

“We will submit some project proposals to SFD shortly in this regard,” he added.

Speaking further on the deal, Rajput explained that Nepal is going through the proposal pertaining to labor agreement between the two countries and is keen on proceeding positively considering Saudi’s position as the top destination for Nepali migrant labor.

Hope the new deal will address the employment concerns of more number of Nepali migrant labor looking out for job in the Saudi market.

The post Nepal Inks Burundi Pact, Reaches 160-Mark in Diplomatic Outreach appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Expressing his views on strengthening ties with the neighboring Asian giants, Oli spoke on a wide range of issues pertaining to Indo-Nepal bilateral ties including protection of sovereign rights, enhancing border connectivity and review of all provisions related to Indo-Nepal relations, among others.

“We have great connectivity with India and an open border. All that’s fine and we’ll increase connectivity even further,” read Oli’s recent statement.

On protecting each other’s rights and addressing related challenges, he said, “There were some elements in the Indian establishment that caused some misunderstanding, but Indian leaders have assured us that there will be no interference in the future and we will respect each other’s sovereign rights”.

Oli also mentioned about the provisions pertaining to Nepalese serving in the Indian Army.

He said, “This should be internally and mutually discussed and corrected, if necessary. We live in a new world, and Nepal is starting a new journey, we have to update whatever is considered outdated and bring it in line with the modern era.”

Amendment of Nepali Constitution to address the issues regarding representation of Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, in Nepali Parliament is another major issue in Oli’s tasks list with regard to clearing confusions in Indo-Nepal bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, in a recent conversation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured all possible support to the newly-appointed Nepal PM towards overall development of Nepal.

Besides, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s recent visit to Nepal, ahead of the announcement of new Nepali PM, also reiterates Indian Government’s willingness to support Nepal.

It’s Time for New President and Vice-President

Post the announcement of new PM, now the time has come for the election of candidates for President and Vice-Presidential roles.

The Election Commission (EC) of Nepal has already begun discussions with the political parties in this regard.

“The meeting commenced on the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Ayodhi Prasad Yadav from the Election Commission and presented the schedule for the election of the President and Vice President to be held within mid of March. The politicos also have responded positively regarding the proposal,” said EC in its official release.

EC had earlier announced March 05, 2018 and March 17, 2018 as the tentative dates for the election of new President and Vice-President of the country.

The post Oli Mulls Updated Connectivity, Sovereign Rights with India appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Nepal and Uzbekistan agreed and signed for the establishment of their diplomatic ties on January 26, 2018.

With Uzbekistan, the number of diplomatic ties Nepal has established with the world nations, so far, reached 158.

An agreement in this regard was signed at a ceremony held in New York that was also attended by Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Ambassador Durga Prasad Bhattarai and Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Bakhtiyor Ibragimov.

Ambassadors of both the nations also jointly informed Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres about the signing of Nepal-Uzbekistan bilateral ties.

Nepal and Uzbekistan are currently working in collaboration across various forums such as non-aligned movement, among others.

It is noteworthy that Nepal has recently begun its diplomatic relations with a West-African nation Benin.

The post Nepal-Uzbekistan Diplomatic Ties Established appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

This meeting gains significance in view of the fact that Nepal is seeing a long-waited political transformation in the form of recently-concluded general elections.

As the country is progressing towards its new government led by the Communist Alliance, Nepali EPG delegation, led by its Convener Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, are on a two-day trip to New Delhi for bilateral consultations with the Indian side.

Prior to this, Nepal’s EPG team also held separate discussions with the top leaders of the three major political parties including Sher Bahadur Deuba (NC), Khadga Prasad Oli (CPN) and Pushpa Kumar Dahal (CPN-MC).

In the meeting, Deuba has reportedly inquired about India’s stand on various issues pertaining to Indo-Nepal ties.

Nepal-India EPG was formed during the then Nepali PM Dr Baburam Bhattarai’s  India visit in October 2011.

Following that, during the recent visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi to Nepal  in July 2014, the two sides agreed to form the EPG of four members each with tenure of two years.

The EPG members have been mandated to come up with a joint document with recommendations based on their regular meetings in order to resolve all the contentious issues between the two countries.

According to Rajan Bhattarai, an EPG member from Nepal, both the sides have held discussions on various challenging issues between the two countries covering the 1950 Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty, utilization of hydro resources, border management and issues related to trade and transit.

The post Sixth Nepal-India EPG Meet to Address Contentious Issues appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The Association, chaired by Myint Oo, the former Myanmar Ambassador to Nepal and former Parliamentary Chairman of the International Relations Committee, aims at boosting economic cooperation between the two countries in tourism, trade and investment.

“In view of new democratic civilian government in Myanmar (after 54 years of military rule) and republic government in Nepal, both the countries are looking forward to developing economic cooperation in the field of tourism, trade and investment,” the Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

This is the first such association formed since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1960 and the opening of Nepali Embassy in 1965.

On the occasion, Ambassador Bhim Udas lauded Myint Oo and his team for this initiative of establishing the Association and also commended all the former Nepali envoys who worked for the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations.

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On the occasion, a talk program was organized in Kathmandu to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of Nepal-Lanka diplomatic ties.

“Apart from diplomatic relations, we also have cultural relations. And, we should take this relationship to a new height,” Nepali Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi said in the talk program.

Stating that relations between Nepal and Sri Lanka were not confined to bilateral ties, Bairagi informed that both the countries also closely collaborate in regional forums such as BIMSTEC and SAARC, and also across multilateral forums like the United Nations.

He also thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for its support to Government of Nepal in the reconstruction activity post the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

In response, the Sri Lankan Ambassador WS Pereira also spoke about cultural and religious ties between the two nations.

Heading Further

Stating that the friendship between the two countries has strengthened over the years, Pereira informed that every Sri Lankan wishes to visit Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha in Kathmandu, once in lifetime.

She further informed that the beginning of direct flight services from Kathmandu to Colombo would boost the Nepal-Lanka bilateral ties and tourism in both the nations.

She also raised concern that Nepal-Lanka bilateral trade remains almost negligible despite the existence of Free Trade Agreement, signed in 1979, between the two countries.

On the occasion, Lumbini Buddhist University Vice Chancellor Naresh Man Bajracharya highlighted the prospects of knowledge and information exchange between the two countries, making a special emphasis on educational institutions of both the countries focused on Buddhist education.

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While the date of formation of the new government is yet to be announced, the left alliance came up with some announcements on policies to be implemented under the left-led new Nepali Government (yet to be formed)

In a recent announcement, the left alliance informed that the new Nepali Government will maintain Nepal’s diplomatic relations with neighboring nations based on independent foreign policy.

“As per the directions made by the Nepali Constitution, we will develop the relation with friendly nations, especially the neighboring countries, international unions and organizations, on the basis of independent foreign policy,” the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and Maoist Centre (CPN-MC) said in a statement on December 17, 2017.

In response, a resident of Lumbini said, “I expect a policy that will enhance Nepal’s relationship with neighboring countries India and China. Growth of Nepal is not possible without good relation with India due to geopolitical situation. But in the name of enhancing relation, Nepal should not bow to any other countries.”

These statements by the new Nepali government gain significance in view of recent statements by Nepal’s close bilateral partners on the conclusion of Nepal’s legislative elections 2017.

Nepal Is a Good Friend: Japan

Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Masashi Ogawa said that Nepal is a good friend to Japan and expressed Japan’s willingness to support Nepal’s development.

“Japan is a good friend of Nepal and it has been providing support to Nepal’s efforts for economic, social, cultural and educational development,” said Ogawa in his address at a recently-held event in Kathmandu.

India Important for Nepal

India also congratulated Nepal on successful completion of its most-awaited parliamentary and provincial elections.

A statement by Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson read about India’s keenness to support Nepal in its all-round development. 

India expressed willingness to work with the newly-elected government with regard to taking ahead its close and multi-faceted ties with Nepal in various sectors.

“The Indo-Nepal ties are not just about government-to-government relations, but about people-to-people ties. India will work with any party that comes to power in Kathmandu. Similarly, the Nepal of PM will work with Delhi irrespective of his ideology. India remains a key factor in Nepal’s politics, society and religion and this fact cannot be ignored,” said a Nepal-focused political expert earlier this month.

US Hopes Responsive Governance

Meanwhile, congratulating Nepal on the conclusion of its historic polls, the United States Government hoped that the recent election would set a stage for new responsive governance in Nepal that stands by rule of law, transparency and inclusivity.

“The election of representatives at all levels of government should set the stage for responsive governance based on the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and rule of law,” read a statement by State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert.

In this regard, Nauert expressed the US Government’s willingness towards working with the new Nepali Government.

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An official agreement in this regard was signed between the Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations Durga Prasad Bhattarai and his Bahamian counterpart Sheila Carey in New York on November 07, 2017.

On the occasion, the two diplomats also discussed cooperation in key areas such as tourism, climate change, among others.

Like in case of Nepal, tourism sector plays a key role in the Bahamian economy contributing accounting for 60 percent of the Bahamian GDP and majorly to the country’s employment sector.

In common, Nepal and The Bahamas are part of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77.

With this, the number of countries with which Nepal enjoys diplomatic relations reached 153.

Nepal has very recently signed a Joint Communiqué with the State of Eritrea marking the opening of its bilateral ties with the latter country in New York, USA on October 31, 2017.

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