KATHMANDU: Ambassador of Israel to Nepal, Hanan Goder has said that Israel and Nepal share the same values of tolerance, democracy, community solidarity and respect for each other.

“We both nations are proud of our heritage and as small civilizations, face similar challenges. This is what united us in the past and this will continue to keep bilateral relations good,” Ambassador Goder said during a program organized by the Embassy of Israel in Kathmandu to celebrate 62 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel on Tuesday (10 May).

Meanwhile, Yair Lapid, Alternate Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel expressed his warm wishes on a video congratulatory message.

He said, “For three decades, Nepal was the only country in the region to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. Israel continues to seek out new opportunities to cooperate with Nepal, considering Nepal a great friend and a partner.”

Likewise, Haim Sharett, son of Late Moshe Sharett, Former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel referred to the meetings of Late Moshe Sharett and late B.P. Koirala in Myanmar, Israel and Nepal which led to intensive dialogue, closer understanding and a deep friendship.

He further said, “The wonderful ongoing friendship later became a binational friendship.” Late Moshe Sharett was one of the architects of establishing Nepal-Israel relations.

The program was organized amidst the presence of Nanda Bahadur Pun, Vice President of Nepal, high-ranked Nepali government officials, diplomats, media fraternity and distinguished business community guests.

Likewise, Sujata Koirala, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs; Ramesh Nath Pandey, former Minister for Foreign Affairs; Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, among others spoke about ‘Nepal-Israel Relations’ and highlighted the strong bonds between the two countries.

The diplomatic relations were established at the initiation of two leaders and Prime Ministers of their respective countries, B.P. Koirala and David Ben Gurion on 1 June 1960.

Since the establishment of the relations, the two nations have continued to cooperate and collaborate on various areas of mutual interests benefitting both the countries in the field of agriculture, health, education, among many others.

A gallery of an exhibition on flashback of Nepal-Israel relations was also displayed, portraying a historical cooperation between the two countries.