Russian delegation meets with PM Oli

Kathmandu, May 15: A delegation led by Batu Khasikov, the head of Kalmykia under the Russian Federation, had a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at his official residence in Baluwatar today.     

During the meeting, various aspects of the friendly relations between Nepal and Russia were discussed, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.     

The Prime Minister's Secretariat stated that in the meeting Khasikov extended an invitation to Prime Minister Oli to participate in the International Buddhist Conference to be held in Kalmykia in September this year.     

On that occasion, Prime Minister Oli requested Khasikov to convey an invitation on behalf of Nepal to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, for a formal visit to Nepal.     

He also requested Khasikov to convey his message to President Putin not to recruit Nepalese into the Russian army in the absence of any kind of military agreement between Nepal and Russia.     

In response, Khasikov assured that there will be no recruitment of Nepali nationals in that manner from now on.     

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal, Alexey Novikov, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present on the occasion.(RSS)