Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs pays courtesy call on President Paudel

Kathmandu, Feb 2: President Ramchandra Paudel has said the 70th anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations has been a milestone in the bilateral ties.  

President Paudel, who is currently in an official visit to Japan at the invitation of Japanese government, said Japan is a significant and reliable development partner for Nepal's socioeconomic development endeavours. 

The Head of the State said it during a courtesy call paid on him by State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr Horii Iwao, today. 

"Japan has been extending support to Nepal in various forms- grants, loans and technology- in the sector of human resources development, health, agriculture, infrastructure, environment and cultural protection. The experience, skills and technology shared by Japan are beneficial to Nepal," said President's Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel, quoting President Paudel. 

Also shared by the Head of the State were Nepal's upgrading to a developing country from the status of the least developed country (LDC) by 2026, and the reforms in legal, procedural and institutional fronts by Nepal in a bid to attract foreign investment. He reminded Japanese Minister that there is a huge potential for Japan to invest in Nepal.

Culturally, both nations are encouraged by the teachings of Gautam Buddha. Nepal's Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha, has served as a consolidated bridge among the people of both nations, the President said, acknowledging the Japan's cooperation in the further development of Lumbini. As the Head of theState said, overseas Nepali community's contribution to the Japan's socio-economic sector has played a role in the enhancement of bilateral ties. 

On the occasion, Japan's Minister of State Horii said the role that the President had played for the protection of Constitution and democracy in the aftermath of the September 8-9 Gen Z movement in Nepal is highly commendable. He also assured Japan's continued support to the strengthening of peace, stability and democracy in Nepal.

The Japan's State Minister shared Japan's desire to see the successful conduct of the House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for March 5 in Nepal for achieving peace and stability in Nepal.  

Similarly, he assured of the continued support on behalf of Japan for the development in Nepal. As he said, the Government of Japan has already decided to cooperate with Nepal for constructing an underpass along the Kathmandu-Kotehswor route for the traffic management and restore the Kathmandu-Sindhuli roadway damaged by the flood.

 The President is presently in Japan in the course of four-day official visit to Japan, beginning on February 1 at the invitation of the Government of Japan. The visit marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Nepal and Japan. 

He is accompanied by first lady Sabita Paudel and others. (RSS)