Thursday, May 22, 2025

Japan Vice-Minister pays courtesy call on FM Rana

Kathmandu, May 17

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Akiko Ikuina, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba on Saturday.

Deputy Minister Ikuina, who is currently in Nepal to participate in the Sagarmatha Sambaad, held the sideline meeting at Hotel Soaltee, the venue of the event.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Dr. Rana expressed her gratitude to the Government of Japan for its support in the reconstruction and maintenance of the Sindhuli–Bardibas road.

The road had sustained significant damage due to excessive rainfall last year. Following a request from Nepal, Japan agreed to assist in the repair and reconstruction of the road which was originally built with Japanese grant assistance.

Furthermore, FM Dr. Rana and the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister discussed various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries. She also urged Japan to continue supporting and expressing solidarity with Nepal’s call for climate justice on international platforms.

Likewise, FM Dr. Rana has urged the Special Envoy for Climate Change and Sustainability of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bader Omar Ismail Al Dafa, to intensify efforts regarding the condition and repatriation of Bipin Joshi.

She made the request during a meeting at the sidelines of the Sagarmatha Dialogue on Friday.

The two discussed the situation of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali youth abducted by Hamas in October 2023.

FM Dr. Rana expressed her appreciation for the efforts made by Qatar for Joshi’s release and return to Nepal and requested continued and intensified efforts in this regard. She has previously appealed several times to the Qatari Foreign Minister and to key mediators in peace talks between Hamas and Israel to take necessary initiatives for Joshi’s release.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 May 2025. 

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