Diplomatic efforts have eased tea exports to India: MoFA

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday said Nepali tea exports to India have become easier after diplomatic coordination led to revisions in an Indian directive that had affected shipments.

The ministry also provided updates on rescue efforts for Nepalis trapped in online scam networks abroad, the launch of the “MoFA Mitra” app, and preparations for a new passport system.

Speaking at a regular press conference on Friday, Ministry Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said the issues created by a directive issued by the Indian Tea Board had been addressed through diplomatic coordination.

According to him, exports of Nepali tea to India have become smoother after the Indian side revised the directive following coordination between the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi and the ministry.

The ministry also informed that the third meeting of the Project Implementation Mechanism between Nepal and China is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu in June.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Nepal’s Foreign Secretary and the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal. During the same period, Nepal will also host meetings of bilateral consultation mechanisms with Norway and Switzerland.

The ministry said rescue operations for Nepalis trapped in illegal online scam centers operating near the border areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand are continuing. So far, 687 Nepalis, including 71 rescued over the past two weeks, have been brought back home.

Spokesperson Chhetri added that efforts are underway to provide legal support to 29 Nepalis imprisoned in Cambodia, while diplomatic initiatives are ongoing to secure the release of Nepalis detained in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the ministry is preparing to launch the “Mofa Mitra” mobile app on Jestha 22 to provide counseling and assistance to Nepalis living abroad. The online verification system for documents related to personal event registration has also been expanded further.

The Department of Passports has said it is in the final stages of preparing a new passport system. The ministry clarified that the system will come into full operation from the last week of Asad and assured that passport services remain operational.

The ministry has urged people requiring passports by mid-Poush to apply within Jestha to help ease the transition to the new system.