Rana meets Jai Shankar
Kathmandu, Mar. 18
Ricky Gill, National Security Assistant to
President Donald Trump of the USA and Senior Director for South and Central
Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, has reaffirmed the US
government's commitment to continuing economic assistance to Nepal.
In a meeting with the Foreign Minister of
Nepal, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, at the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, organised
by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, on Tuesday, he assured
the continued economic support to Nepal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)
informed in a statement.
During the meeting, various aspects of
Nepal-US relations were discussed.
FM Dr. Rana has urged the US government to
take necessary steps for the release of Nepali student Bipin, who is under the
control of Hamas. She recalled that she had previously requested US
intervention in the matter and reiterated Nepal’s expectation of US assistance
for Bipin’s safe release.
Bipin, a Nepali student studying in Israel,
was abducted by Hamas militants from Israeli territory in October 2023. The
Government of Nepal has been making continuous diplomatic efforts for his
release while FM Dr. Rana has been appealing to world leaders and her
counterparts for support in securing Bipin’s freedom.
Meanwhile, FM Dr. Rana also met her Indian counterpart
Dr. S. Jaishankar at the sidelines of the conference. They discussed
Nepal-India bilateral relations, mutual interests, trade, transit, and
hydropower development.
According to the MoFA, Dr. Rana reaffirmed
Nepal’s commitment to strengthening ties and continuing collaboration for
shared benefits.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rana
held separate bilateral meetings with her Ukrainian counterpart Andrii
Sybiha, and Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mihai Popsoi.
According to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MoFA), the meetings took place on the sidelines of the Raisina
Dialogue.
The meeting between Dr. Rana and Sybiha
discussed Nepal-Ukraine relations and issues of mutual interest. A key topic of
the talks was the release of seven Nepali nationals held by Ukrainian forces as
prisoners of war, read the statement.
FM Dr. Rana urged the Ukrainian government
to release the Nepali citizens, who were reportedly recruited into the Russian
military through human traffickers. She clarified that Nepal has no policy
allowing its citizens to join the Russian army, and that the government learned
about their recruitment only later.
"She further stated that these
individuals were forcibly taken from remote areas of Nepal and enlisted into
the Russian military against their will," according to the MoFA.
In response, Foreign Minister Sybiha
assured that Ukraine would follow legal procedures for their release.
FM Dr. Rana also sought Ukraine’s support
for Nepal’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council (2027-2029).
The two sides also signed an agreement to grant visa-free entry for holders of
diplomatic and official passports from both countries.
Similarly, in a separate meeting, she held
talks with Moldova’s DPM and Foreign Minister, Mihai Popsoi. The discussions
covered bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Nepal and Moldova.
Minister Dr. Rana highlighted the severe
impact of climate change on Nepal and explored ways for the two countries to
collaborate on addressing the issue.
The MoFA statement stated that she also
informed Minister Popsoi about Nepal’s upcoming graduation from the list of
least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026, emphasising the preparations required
and the international support needed for a smooth transition.
Dr. Rana also briefed Popsoi on Nepal’s
candidacy for the UN Security Council and other international bodies,
requesting Moldova’s backing.
The two ministers also discussed Minister
Popsoi’s upcoming visit to Nepal this week, expressing confidence that it would
help further strengthen Nepal-Moldova relati
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 March 2025.
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