Minister Dr Rana meets with US official Gill, seeks US support for Bipin Joshi's release

Kathmandu, March 18: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba held a meeting with Ricky Gill, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for South and Central Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, in New Delhi, India today on the sidelines of the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, India.     

The meeting discussed a wide range of subjects, including strengthening Nepal-US relations, which are rooted in shared democratic and human rights values, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.     

On the occasion, Dr Rana requested Gill to facilitate the release and repatriation of Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi believed to be held captive by Hamas, expressing her confidence that cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow over the coming years. She recalled her previous calls to the US government for Joshi's freedom, stating that Nepal has also sought assistances from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, among others. She expressed her expectation for the US support for Joshi's release.     

Joshi was among those who were kidnapped during Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which led to the killing of more than a thousand people, including 10 Nepali nationals. Since then, the Government of Nepal has continued its diplomatic efforts for Joshi's release. Dr Rana has continuously raised the issue at national and regional forums, including the United Nations, and through bilateral meetings for Joshi's safe release.(RSS)