Kathmandu, July 5
The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has said that first 100 days of the new government has
been successful with the initiatives like launching a new mobile app for
Nepalis in foreign countries, rescue of Neplais in crisis, postponement of the
graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC), and execution of economic diplomacy.
In a statement
published on Saturday night, the Ministry also highlighted the visit of Foreign
Minister Shisir Khanal to India and China, internship programme and initiatives
in controlling hundi as its achievements.
According to it, the government has initiated a formal process to defer Nepal's
scheduled graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. "Although
Nepal was previously scheduled to graduate on 24 November 2026, due to recent
domestic and international economic and geopolitical developments, the government
has sought to postpone the graduation until November 2029," read the
statement.
On 13 May 2026, FM Khanal wrote to the
Chair of the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) requesting
the deferral. According to him, reasons behind seeking the postponement are
economic impact and global instability, loss of trade preferences and
employment risks, delayed implementation of the Smooth Transition Strategy,
post-pandemic vulnerability, and impact of the development in West Asia.
The ministry launched the MoFA Mitra mobile
application, on May 26. The application is designed to provide consular
assistance and other essential services to Nepalis living abroad, particularly
those facing emergencies. The ministry has also expanded its online document
authentication system and extended digital consular and legal advisory services
to all seven provinces, 77 districts and 537 local government units.
Likewise, it said that a diplomatic
intervention had resolved a long-standing problem affecting around 2,000
Nepalis in Portugal whose temporary residence applications had stalled after
forged consular authentication stamps were discovered on original police
clearance certificates. Following discussions between Nepali and Portuguese
authorities, supported by the Nepali Embassy in Lisbon, applications for
temporary residence permits are now being processed.
Efforts to protect vulnerable Nepalis
overseas have also continued. The ministry, in coordination with Nepali
diplomatic missions, has rescued and repatriated 819 citizens who had fallen
victim to online scam networks operating in South-East Asia, read the statement.
Similarly, Nepal also secured the release
of detained nationals through sustained diplomatic engagement. The United Arab
Emirates granted pardons to 128 Nepali prisoners in April 2026, while Saudi
Arabia pardoned 33 Nepali nationals in June.
The MoFA also said that it achieved success
in resolving trade obstacles affecting Nepali tea exports to India. Following
sustained discussions with Indian authorities, including the Ministries of
External Affairs and Commerce, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
and the Tea Board of India, export procedures have been streamlined. The issue
was also raised during the Foreign Minister's official visit to India in June.
In response to the crisis in West Asia, a
high-level inter-agency task force was formed under the leadership of the Foreign
Minister. The team submitted recommendations outlining short, medium and
long-term measures to mitigate the conflict's impact on Nepal. During the
regional tensions, the ministry established a 24-hour Emergency Response Team,
strengthened coordination with diplomatic missions and facilitated the return
of 1,047 Nepali nationals from the affected region.
The ministry also announced that Nepal's
upgraded passport management system is expected to go live later this month. According
to it, preparations are largely complete, while mobile passport services have
been introduced in countries without resident Nepali diplomatic missions.
"Work has also begun to allow citizens
to apply for passports from any district, and a partnership with the Department
of Postal Services will improve passport delivery nationwide," said the
MoFA.
On the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister
Khanal's official visits to India from 5 to 7 June and China from 14 to 17 June
were described as significant milestones.
Discussions with both neighbours focused on
expanding trade, investment, energy cooperation, tourism, connectivity and
broader economic partnerships. Nepal also reiterated its commitment to
resolving outstanding border issues with India through diplomatic dialogue
based on historical agreements and maps, while meetings with Chinese leaders
reinforced bilateral cooperation and development partnerships.
The ministry said it is giving greater
priority to country-specific strategies aimed at identifying mutually
beneficial areas of cooperation and strengthening economic diplomacy. Policy
initiatives have focused on promoting exports, foreign investment, tourism,
information technology and development cooperation through closer coordination
among federal, provincial and local governments, the private sector and Nepali
diplomatic missions abroad.
Likewise, Foreign Minister Khanal held a
virtual meeting with UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister for Veterans
Alistair Carns' representative Lewis Sander-Jones to discuss long-standing
issues concerning former British Gurkha soldiers.
Nepal also secured a United Nations
declaration recognising 15 April as the International Day of Wellbeing, while
an agreement was signed with Heidelberg University's South Asia Institute in
Germany to repatriate centuries-old Nepali manuscripts.
Meanwhile, the ministry launched its
first-ever MoFA Nepal Summer Internship and Fellowship Programme 2026,
selecting 20 participants from 1,278 applicants to conduct research on foreign
affairs, economic diplomacy and the Nepali diaspora. It also opened, for the
first time, a public application process for ambassadorial appointments,
attracting around 3,000 applications.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 July 2026.
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