KATHMANDU: The government has prepared country-specific strategies with 20 countries so far to strengthen economic diplomacy, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry spokesperson and Joint Secretary Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri said coordination with relevant agencies has been established by prioritizing economic diplomacy initiatives.
Speaking at a press briefing at the ministry on Friday, Chhetri said focal persons will be designated at all Nepali diplomatic missions abroad to ensure more effective implementation of economic diplomacy programmes.
He added that the ministry is revising the Guidelines on Economic Diplomacy Programmes, 2071 BS, to make them more relevant to the current context.
Sharing updates on the ministry’s activities over the past two weeks, Chhetri said the Third Meeting of the Nepal-Australia Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was held in Kathmandu on Friday.
The meeting, attended by Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and First Assistant Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sarah Storey, focused on further strengthening bilateral relations.
Chhetri said Nepal is closely monitoring developments in West Asia and reiterated that Nepal’s position in favour of peace and stability in the region remains unchanged. He said disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic means.
He added that the situation of Nepalis living in West Asia remains normal, and the ministry has not received reports of Nepali citizens being affected by recent developments.
The spokesperson also expressed hope that the operation of the Kolkata-Biratnagar Railway Cargo Transport Service from July 17 would help facilitate trade. He informed that 860 Nepalis had been rescued from various online scam centres in Southeast Asia.
Chhetri further said Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal held a virtual meeting with United Kingdom Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP on July 14 and discussed the long-standing concerns of British Gurkhas.
According to him, Minister Khanal urged the British government to address the demands of British Gurkhas, while Defence Secretary Jarvis expressed commitment to resolving the issue.
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