Govt to bring back Col Lama

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa Friday said that the United Kingdom was positive about handing over Nepalese Army colonel Kumar Lama, who is in detention in the UK for last three years, to Nepal within a couple of months.

Speaking to the journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival after concluding 11-day visit to the Unnited States and the UK, DPM Thapa said, "The UK government was positive about handing over Lama to Nepal. But, as his case is pending on the court, the government asked us to wait till June. Once the court gives verdict on Lama's case two government will hold discussions to bring him back to Nepal."

As Nepal established the Truth and Reconciliation  Commission, Lama's case could be handled by the Commission, he informed.

Lama was arrested by the UK police three years back over torture which he allegedly committed during the Maoists' war.

Col. Kumar Lama

DPM Thapa claimed that he tried to alleviate misunderstanding about the new constitution in the US and UK.

"Some forces had been trying to misinform the high government officials and civil society members there about the new constitution and latest political development in the country. We, successfully countered such misunderstanding," he said.

In New York, Thapa participated in Paris Agreement on Climate Change Signing Ceremony. He signed the pact on behalf of the country along with 60 head of government and state, and representatives of 170 countries.

According to DPM Thapa, Nepal updated other nations about its National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and Local Adaptation Programme of Action (LAPA), which the government formulated to combat the impact of climate change.

He also participated in High Level Thematic Debate on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Special Assembly on Draught.

DPM Thapa met US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington DC and invited him for Nepal visit.
"Kerry has assured that he would visit Nepal by the end of this year."

In the UK, Thapa met Minister of State Hugo Swire Thursday and asked the UK government to do the justice and give recognition to British Gurkhas for their tremendous sacrifices to the British interest and cause.

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), DPM Thapa said that given the historical connection of Gurkhas in bilateral relations of the two countries, and in the context of bicentennial celebration, that it was very opportune moment for the UK to address the remaining issues of British Gurkhas once and for all.

The DPM informed that Swire said that the British government would make every possible effort to address the issues related to British Gurkhas.

During the meeting with Swire, the matters of bilateral relations, development support from the UK to Nepal, the reconstruction process and exchange of high-level visits were discussed.

Earlier yesterday, DPM Thapa held a meeting with Minister of State at the Department for International Development (DFID) Desmond Swayne during which they discussed about the development cooperation between the two countries.