NA Chair Dahal engages in bilateral meetings on sidelines of IPU Assembly

Kathmandu, Oct 23: Chairperson of the National Assembly (NA), Narayan Prasad Dahal, has said Nepal is working actively for strengthening democracy by ensuring the timely conduct of elections.     

Chairperson Dahal, who is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with an Indian parliamentary delegation led by Anurag Singh Thakur.     

During the meeting held on the sidelines of the IPU Assembly on Thursday, the NA Chairperson briefed the Indian parliamentarians' delegation about the recent Gen Z demonstrations in Nepal, the subsequent formation of an interim government, and the announcement of fresh elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for March 5, 2026, according to Dahal’s Secretariat.     

On the occasion, Chairperson Dahal stated that relations between Nepal and India extend beyond formal, state-to-state ties and are deeply rooted in people-to-people connections.     

He also held a meeting with IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong Martin and briefed the Secretary General about the announcement of fresh HoR elections in Nepal in light of the changed political context. Dahal added that the National Assembly continues to carry out its legislative responsibilities effectively.     

Meanwhile, Chairperson Dahal expressed hope for enhanced cooperation between Nepal and Australia in the areas of climate change mitigation, renewable energy development, and the promotion of good local governance.     

In his bilateral meeting with Milton Dick, the Speaker of Australia, Dahal urged Australia to expand its cooperation with Nepal in educational partnerships, technical training, and research exchange initiatives.     

Appreciating Australia’s support in the fields of education, health, good governance, and community forest management in Nepal, he expressed his hope for further strengthening such cooperation in the days to come. He also thanked the Australian government for ensuring the safety and dignity of the Nepali community and students in Australia and for creating a cooperative environment for them.(RSS)