Nepal-Israel relations consolidated since ties in 1960: Minister Karki

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, June 1: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has observed that the relations between Nepal and Israel have been consolidated since the establishment of the diplomatic relation between the two countries on June 1, 1960.

Minister Karki said so while addressing a function organised to mark the 62 years of the establishment of the diplomatic relation between the two nations.

"Cooperation between Nepal and Israel on human resource development, education, agriculture technology and employment have enhanced the relations to flourish and consolidate," said the Communication Minister at the programme held at BP Museum at Sundarijal. 

Minister Karki, also the government spokesperson, pointed out the need for a direct flight between Israel and Nepal to promote Nepal's tourism.

He expressed hope that the establishment of the Agriculture Center of Excellence in all seven provinces of Nepal by Israel will further add value to the relations.

The Communication Minister lauded the way the government of Israel dispatched a rescue team and relief material to Nepal in the immediate aftermath of the Great Earth Quake in Nepal in April 2015.

Minister Karki mentioned that there exists a tremendous potential to bolster the relations between the two countries.

Henan Goder, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal, noted that Nepal was the first country from South Asia to recognize the state of Israel and establish diplomatic relations and that Nepal was the only country to have diplomatic relations with Israel till 1990.

He said the relations between the two countries flourished in the last 62 years.

“Relations between two countries have two dimensions: the bilateral one and the multilateral one. I gladly note that on bilateral issues, the relations are excellent," said the ambassador.

Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, former Foreign Minister and the spokesperson of the Nepali Congress, viewed that Nepal should learn from the way Israel has developed on the strength of technology and innovation.

"We are neither poor nor tiny, but we have been unable to tap the resources we have," he said.

He also made it a point that Nepal supports Israel's independence, sovereignty and security and Nepal also supports Palestine's right to exist.

Hisila Yami, former Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, highlighted on implementing the Oslo Accords saying it BP were alive today, he would also have the same opinion.

Former Minister Yami, also a leader of the Janata Samajwadi Party, said that Nepal was as much with Israel's statehood as with that of Palestine.

Pradip Gyawali, former Foreign Minister and CPN (UML) leader, viewed that Nepal needs to be further positive for the cause of Israel keeping in mind that the right to exist of the other side (Palestine) is not ignored.