Kathmandu, July 24
The
Third Meeting of the Nepal-Australia Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) held
in Kathmandu on Friday discussed strengthening people-to-people links by
leveraging diaspora networks, managing migration and visa frameworks and
exploring sister-city relations.
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed that the BCM highlighted various
areas of cooperation, including the expansion of trade relations, air
connectivity, tourism, investment in Nepal's hydropower sector and the
establishment of a formal educational cooperation framework for education and
research.
"Both
sides also exchanged views on regional and international trends, human rights,
carbon trading frameworks and reciprocal support for candidacies in
multilateral forums like the United Nations," read the statement.
The
meeting reviewed the status of Nepal- Australia bilateral relations as well,
while the both sides reaffirmed their commitment to translating the
understandings reached between the two sides into tangible outcomes for the
mutual benefit of both countries.
They
reviewed bilateral cooperation and development assistance, focusing on
priorities such as high-level political engagement, climate resilience, green
economy, water resource management, agricultural research, and the alignment of
Australia's Development Partnership Plan in line with Nepal's national
priorities.
The
meeting was co-chaired by Amrit Bahadur Rai, Foreign Secretary of Nepal and
Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of the South and Central Asia Division
at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia. The
delegations of Nepal and Australia included several officials from various
ministries and departments and diplomatic mission.
Earlier,
on Thursday, the first meeting of Joint Nepal-Australia Trade and Investment
Committee under the Nepal Australia Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement
(TIFA) was held in Kathmandu.
The
Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between Nepal and Australia was established in
July 2017. The first and second meeting of the Mechanism were held in Kathmandu
and Canberra in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
Meanwhile,
the Embassy of Australia in Kathmandu informed that Storey concluded a three-day visit to Nepal, reaffirming
the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries and identifying
new opportunities for cooperation across trade, investment, education, climate
action, and sustainable development.
She met Foreign Minister,
Shisir Khanal, and Finance Minister, Dr. Swarnim Wagle.
She also engaged with
students, academics, youth leaders, and foreign policy practitioners at
Tribhuvan University, where she led a discussion on the future of
Australia-Nepal relations, said the Embass in a statement.
“Our shared commitment to
democratic principles and the rules-based order is a key pillar of our
relationship and provides a strong foundation for working together to advance
our shared interests,” Ms Storey said.
Likewise, the MOFA informed that is closely monitoring
the recent development in the West Asia region.
"The current conflict appears to have re-emerged following
the failure to uphold the ceasefire agreement. Should the conflict continue, it
could have far-reaching consequences. For Nepal, these may include security
challenges for Nepali nationals residing in the region, adverse impacts on
employment opportunities, and disruptions to fuel supplies, construction,
tourism and other sectors at home," Spokesperson of the Ministry Lok
Bahadur Paudel Chhetri said in a press meet organised at the MoFA on Friday
According
to him, Nepal supports ongoing efforts to establish lasting peace in the region
and to ensure the uninterrupted use of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
According
to the information received from the Nepali missions abroad, Nepali nationals
in the region remain safe, and there have been no reports of any Nepali
citizens being affected by the conflict.
The
MoFA has requested Nepali citizens in the region who encounter any difficulties
to contact the nearest Nepali diplomatic mission immediately or report their
concerns through the MoFA-Mitra App, operated by the Department of Consular
Services.
Meanwhile,
49 Nepali nationals are detained in prisons in Cambodia. They have fallen
victim to online scam centres being operated there. Such centres are operating
in the border areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. The Embassy of
Nepal in Bangkok has already initiated coordination to provide the necessary
legal assistance and other support to them.
To
date, a total of 860 Nepali nationals have been rescued from these scam
centres, comprising 733 from Cambodia, 113 from Myanmar, eight from Laos and
six from Thailand.
The
Foreign Ministry has urged family members and relatives of the victims to file
complaints with the Nepal Police and other relevant authorities against
individuals involved in the illegal recruitment and trafficking of Nepalis to
scam centres, providing accurate details of such activities.
"Families
and relatives are requested to encourage Nepali nationals currently in these
areas, particularly those who are unwilling to return, to come back to Nepal at
the earliest through telephone calls, social media or any other appropriate
means of communication. The Embassy of Nepal has also urged those whose fines
have been waived to return to Nepal without delay," said Chhetri.
According
to him, information has been received that some individuals are falsely
promising to secure the
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 July 2026.
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