Nepal-Qatar Bond

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, wrapped up his two-day visit to Nepal on Wednesday. The first-ever visit by Qatari monarch has ushered Nepal-Qatar relations into a new era of cooperation and friendship. This has paved the way for the comprehensive partnership between the two nations with different climatic characteristics- one is peninsula comprised of arid desert and Persian Gulf shoreline while another is famous for pristine Himalayas, hills, forests and rivers. The Amir of Qatar held high level talks with President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. On Wednesday, Qatar Amir and Prime Minister Prachanda had bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of two agreements and six memorandums of understanding (MoU) on various areas of cooperation including culture, education, diplomacy, communication, sports, legal assistance and commerce. 

Agreements have been signed on the exchange of news between National News Agency of Nepal and Qatar News Agency (QNA) and the establishment of Joint Business Council (JBC) between Qatar Chamber and the Federation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). Others areas of MoUs cover the fields of culture and arts, education, higher education and scientific research, youth and sports, cooperation between the Office of the Attorney General of Nepal and the Public Prosecution of the State of Qatar, diplomatic training and education between the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of Nepal and the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and the renewal of the MoU between Qatar Chamber and the Federation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI). These accords will be a milestone in elevating the bilateral ties between the two nations. Preparations are also underway to provide two elephants as gifts to Qatar as a symbol of intimate bond.

Nepal has attached high priority to its relations with Qatar where around 400,000 Nepalis are working to make a living. Besides, they has also been contributing to the infrastructure development of Qatar which was acknowledged by Amir. Ever since the two nations formally opened their diplomatic relations in 1977, the bilateral bonds have gone from strength to strength. Their relations are marked by mutual trust, respect, understanding and cooperation.  During their meeting held at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas Tuesday, President Paudel and the Amir of the State of Qatar expressed their satisfaction over the overall ties subsisting between the two nations. Qatari monarch stated that his visit to Nepal would be fruitful in bolstering their bilateral ties by exploring the areas of cooperation. They also discussed cooperation in protecting the earth, Himalayas and waters resources from the impact of climate change. 

Both Nepal and Qatar have shared views on international and regional issues, and working together for the cause of peace, security and prosperity at the global forums. Of late, Qatar has emerged as the peace broker in the West Asia especially after the start of Israel-Hamas war in October last year. Against this backdrop, it is natural for Nepal's President to seek Qatar's support to help in securing a safe rescue of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who was reportedly taken hostage by the Hamas militants. In his response, the Qatar Amir assured that he would do his best to secure Joshi's release. As Qatar has maintained trustworthy relations with Palestine and Hamas, Joshi's release is possible with Qatar's diplomatic mediation.