Kathmandu, Aug. 26
President Ramchandra Paudel has written to
King Abdullah II of Jordan on 24 August, requesting his support in identifying Bipin
Joshi’s condition, ensuring his safe release, and facilitating his return to
Nepal.
In his letter, President Paudel has stated that
Nepal and people here would highly value all humanitarian and diplomatic
measures taken by Jordan towards this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MoFA) informed in a statement on Tuesday.
Joshi is said to be held captive by the
Palestinian armed group Hamas since its attack on Israeli territory in October
2023, killing over 1000 people including 10 Nepali citizens and abducting
several others. Joshi, who was in Israel participating in
government-to-government 'Learn and Earn' agriculture training programme, was
among the people abducted by Hamas and his whereabout is still unknown.
Since then, Nepal has stepped up diplomatic
efforts to secure his release.
In the letter, President Paudel also conveyed
his appreciation of the longstanding friendly relations between Nepal and
Jordan, reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
"He praised King Abdullah’s leadership
in promoting humanitarian values, conflict management, and inter-cultural
harmony in the Gulf region and globally," read the letter. It further
noted the scope for expanded cooperation between the two countries in areas
such as trade, investment, tourism, labour migration, cultural exchange, and
people-to-people relations.
According to the MoFA, the appeal followed
recent meetings of Joshi’s mother Padma Kumari Joshi and sister Pushpa Joshi
with Nepal’s President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister upon their return
from Israel, where they had raised the issue with senior Israeli officials.
Despite ongoing bilateral, regional, and
international efforts, Joshi’s whereabouts and condition remain unconfirmed.
The government has reiterated its commitment to continue pursuing all possible
avenues to secure his release and safe repatriation.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba
had reached out to countries meditating ceasefires with Hamas to request for
their special efforts for Joshi's release. The MoFA had talked with Israel and
countries meditating the ceasefire – Qatar and Egypt, and international and
regional forums for the same.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 August 2025.
No comments:
Post a Comment