Foreign ministers acknowledge activation of SAARC

Kathmandu, Feb. 5

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal has discussed with her counterparts of countries from the region prospects of activating the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) process.

"I have clearly stated there is a need to activate the SAARC and expand the mutual discussion and cooperation network among the SAARC countries," she said upon her arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport after completing a four-day official trip to Sri Lanka.

Minister Dr. Paudyal had paid a visit to Sri Lank upon the invitation of her counterpart M.U.M. Ali Sabry to attend the 75^th Independence Day function of the island nation.

On the occasion, she had held separate meetings with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of India, and Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Minister also informed that she had asked for Sri Lankan cooperation in expanding air connectivity to the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, cultural exchange between the two countries, and promote the study of Buddhist philosophy in Nepal.

Talking to the reporters at the TIA, she informed that she had a courtesy meeting with the President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunabradhane and discussed various matters of mutual interest between the two countries.

Regarding the fact that South Asian countries are at risk of climate change, Minister Paudyal also informed that she has talked to everyone to establish an informal network to raise a common voice in the region at the upcoming International Conference on Climate Change (COP-28).

Similarly, there were talks about energy trade with Bangladesh and about sending Nepali doctors and nurses there.

Sri Lanka had invited special guests including all foreign ministers of South Asia to the ceremony.

Earlier, on Saturday, FM Dr. Paudyal called on President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo where she underscored the need for further strengthening Nepal-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of culture and tourism.

Prior to that, Dr. Paudyal and her Sri Lankan counterpart Sabry had discussed the matters of bilateral cooperation including establishing air connectivity between Bhairahawa and Colombo, holding of the meeting of Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission at an early date and deepening cooperation in the field of agriculture, education, energy and climate change.

The two Foreign Ministers also reflected on the ways of resuming the SAARC process during the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement.

The Foreign Minister also held meetings with Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, Bangladesh, Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, and State Minister for External Affairs of India, V. Muraleedharan.

During the meeting with her Maldivian counterpart, the Foreign Minister expressed willingness to conclude the proposed MoU on the recruitment of medical professionals from Nepal at an early date. During the meeting with her Bangladeshi counterpart, she highlighted the ways and means of enhancing cooperation in the power sector. Similarly, in the meeting with V. Muraleedharan, she underscored the need for the timely completion of projects under Nepal-India development cooperation, particularly in the areas of energy, infrastructure and cross-border connectivity.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 February 2023.