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Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and her visiting Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi held a bilateral meeting on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on matters relating to Nepal-Oman bilateral interests, common concerns and the strengthening of bilateral relations, according to the Ministry.

They touched on issues relating to air connectivity, labor issues, investment, tourism, diplomatic exchanges, all sorts of bilateral cooperation and collaboration and so on. 

Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ganesh Prasad Pandey, Nepal's Ambassador for Oman, Dornath Aryal and the Omani officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present in the meeting.

Minister Rana called on Oman to operate Nepal's international airports based in Bhairahawa and Pokhara, reminding of the closure of the flights at Bhairahawa following a brief operation. She said the government has decided to ensure more facilities for international airlines providing services in Nepal. In response, her counterpart said the Government of Oman will consider the matter.

Likewise, Nepal raised the topics of the rights and welfare of Nepali workers and additional labor destinations. The Nepali side raised this topic, stating that Oman could become a promising labor destination for Nepali workers as Oman has better labor laws and other environments.  

The Omani side stated that the Nepali workers were honest and conscientious and so Oman will hire additional Nepali workers based on requirement.

An agreement has been reached according to which the two countries will move ahead signing a labor agreement on this topic.

Foreign Minister Rana mentioned about the immense possibilities of tourism in Nepal due to its natural beauty, the Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters high including the Sagarmatha and the various heritage sites enlisted in the list of World Heritage Sites.

She urged the Omani investors to invest in Nepal in various sectors including in tourism. "There are many areas for possible investment in Nepal. Therefore, I urge, through the Foreign Minister, the Government of Oman and the investors there to invest in Nepal," she added.

Talking briefly to journalists after the bilateral meeting with the Omani Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister Rana said talks were held on further deepening the relations between Nepal and Oman. She informed that preparations have been made on the two countries reaching agreement soon on labor, health, tourism and foreign affairs.

Minister Dr Rana also said that Oman was willing to invest in the priority sectors in tourism in Nepal.

According to her, they reviewed overall aspects of Nepal-Oman relations including matters relating to labor and employment, tourism, trade, air connectivity, investment, among others.

This week, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba made an official visit to India at the invitation of Indian Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar. While her discussions with Jaishankar focused on bilateral issues, her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi garnered the most attention. It is rare for Nepali foreign ministers to meet Modi during their visits to New Delhi, and those who do often gain significant political traction back home.

In Nepal, Rana’s meeting with Modi has sparked various interpretations. Some view it as a sign of the high priority India places on its relationship with Nepal. Others suggest that recent developments in Bangladesh may have prompted New Delhi to engage more closely with its neighbors. CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal quickly added to the speculation, claiming that Rana’s meeting with Modi might have unsettled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Dahal hinted that India’s treatment of Rana as an equal to the prime minister might have been a calculated move, especially as Oli awaits an invitation to visit New Delhi. 

There is now speculation about a potential visit by Modi to Nepal, which would reverse the traditional pattern of Nepali prime ministers visiting India first. People are curious whether India has formally invited Oli to India.

Another important news this week concerned the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). It has been a year since MCC came into effect in Nepal. This week, the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) shared an update on the progress made over the past year. MCA-Nepal announced that it has completed the procurement for some contracts and made significant strides in preparing sites for contractors. However, doubts remain about whether the two MCC projects—a transmission line and a road upgrade—will be completed within the five-year timeline, given that four years now remain. Although political opposition to the MCC has waned, frequent changes in government and bureaucratic reshuffling continue to pose challenges. The successful implementation of the MCC is a priority for the US, particularly given opposition from communist parties and China.

Talking about the growing American interest in Nepal, US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R Verma visited Nepal this week. During his visit, he met with top political leaders and made significant announcements, including US support for the Nepali Army. Foreign Minister Rana, via a post on X, announced that the US would provide Nepal with two Skytrucks and two additional Bell helicopters to support disaster management efforts.

There was also a welcoming development for young content creators and small business owners this week, as the government made an announcement to lift the ban on TikTok, which was imposed a year ago. Following directives from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the Ministry of Communications has begun preparations for the ban’s removal. Last year, the government, led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, banned TikTok citing concerns about social cohesion. After the ban, TikTok representatives lobbied intensively, promising to remove objectionable content. They argued that the government banned the app without providing any specific reasons, noting that Nepal is one of TikTok’s largest markets in South Asia. At the time, the ban had broad political support despite concerns about free speech.

Now onto the ongoing internal conflict inside CPN (Maoist Center). It appears that Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Janardhan Sharma have reconciled following a tense exchange at the party meeting. Sharma is the first leader since Mohan Baidya and Baburam Bhattarai (2006-2015) to openly challenge Dahal’s leadership. He made two strong points: Dahal should pass the party leadership to younger leaders, and Dahal used state agencies to punish Sharma and others when in power. Currently, three leaders—Sharma, Barsha Man Pun, and Narayan Kaji Shrestha—are vying to succeed Dahal as party chair. However, Dahal is reluctant to relinquish power and is instead working to strengthen the party by forming alliances with fringe Maoist factions and the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Kumar Nepal. Dahal is reportedly trying to convince Nepal to support party unification by offering him the position of prime minister.

This week, the federal parliament passed a bill to amend some controversial clauses in the transitional justice Act. While major political parties support the bill, some human rights organizations and conflict victims have criticized it, arguing that it does not meet international standards. This opposition could undermine the effectiveness of the two transitional justice bodies, as has happened in the past. On a positive note, most major countries, except India, have welcomed the passage of the bill, which will be crucial for the success of transitional justice mechanisms. Attention is now focused on upcoming appointments to the transitional justice bodies.

Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Bidya Bhattarai revealed this week that officials at the Tribhuvan University (TU) have been receiving threats. In a social media post, she requested that the Ministry of Home Affairs provide security for the officials and address the growing problem of hooliganism in educational institutions. She emphasized that turning educational institutions into arenas for political conflict is a troubling trend that political parties must take seriously.

In another story this week, the Ministry of Health and Population raised concerns about the risk of monkeypox infection, which is spreading rapidly in Asia. Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki warned that with the infection spreading in neighboring India, Nepal is also vulnerable. It’s worth noting that a 60-year-old foreign woman was diagnosed with the virus in Nepal last year.

Also this week, the news about the devastating flood caused by a glacial lake outburst at a village in the Everest region raised alarms, particularly among climate scientists and environmentalists. Although no casualties were reported in the incident, the scale of the flood was huge. The flood, which tore through the village of Thame, underscores the growing risk posed by glacial lake outbursts in Nepal. According to a 2020 study by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), there are around 2,070 glacial lakes in Nepal, many of which are at risk of bursting. Government authorities need to address this issue urgently.

That’s all for this week. Have a great weekend!

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has said that her India visit had significantly contributed to promoting goodwill between Nepal and India.

Talking to journalists upon her arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Thursday, Minister Rana said the visit has added up to further strengthen friendly, cooperative, multidimensional and close ties on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

Minister Rana said that the visit has paved ways to promote cooperation and assistance for mutual benefits through the means of bilateral mechanisms and to expand cooperation at the higher level and in different layers in the coming days.  

She said that her visit took place as per the program of exchange of the high-level visits.  

On the occasion, Minister Rana shared that she held talks with the Indian Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister in an amicable manner, and the meetings focused on the issues of Nepal's welfare and interests as well as the diverse area of mutual interests.

Saying that she held a courtesy call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Minister Dr Rana stated that views to expand ongoing cooperation and strengthen existing friendship between Nepal and India were conferred.

According to her, she handed over an invitation letter to Indian Prime Minister Modi on behalf of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for a state visit to Nepal.

This is the first visit of Rana after she assumed the responsibility as the Foreign Minister.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba held a meeting with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on Monday.

Rana left for India on a five-day official visit at the cordial invitation of her Indian counterpart Jaishankar.

According to a source at the Foreign Ministry, they discussed various aspects of Nepal-India relations, mutual interests and cooperation.

Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar welcomed Rana to India and posted a picture on social media.

It has been believed that the meeting would strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

A source said that Foreign Minister Rana is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening.

This is Rana’s first foreign visit after being appointed as the foreign minister.

On Monday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Nepal after the formation of CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli-led government.

During his stay in Nepal, he paid courtesy calls on President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister Oli, ministers, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal among others.

Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Md. Golam Sarwar called on Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba at the latter’s office in Singh Durbar today.

During the meeting, they discussed the current state of regional cooperation in SAARC and revitalizing this forum in the shared interests of Member States, the Ministry stated.

On the occasion the SAARC Secretary General congratulated Rana on the assumption of important responsibility as the Foreign Minister and the Chair of the SAARC Council of Ministers.

The two dignitaries discussed ongoing initiatives in SAARC, forward movement, and upcoming meetings, according to the SAARC Secretariat.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who is on a two-day official visit to Nepal, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar on Monday.

Various aspects of bilateral relations as well as economic and development assistance and projects among others were discussed in the meeting.

On the occasion, Minister Rana through visiting Foreign Secretary Misri raised the issue of the availability of more air routes to Nepal to increase Nepal-India 'air connectivity' with India.

She also urged India to take initiatives to establish a laboratory for testing the quality of vegetables and fruits imported through the border areas of Nepal and India.

Minister Rana also raised the issue of taking the remaining works of Pancheshwor Project ahead in the meeting.

Similarly, she through Foreign Secretary Misri also urged India to provide necessary help to release water of  Tanakpur Dam into the canal and to control and reduce the risk of floods in Bandganga, Khando and Rapti rivers.

Minister Rana also raised the issue of inaugurating the bridge of Darchula.

Sher also discussed the issues of giving continuity to the dialogue on trade and transportation.

The minister thanked the India government for its support in rescuing and providing relief to the earthquake victims of Jajarkot.

The Indian Foreign Secretary arrived in Kathmandu at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal on Sunday.

German Ambassador to Nepal Thomas Prinz paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba on Tuesday.

During the meeting, matters related to various aspects of Nepal-Germany relations along with mutual interests and reciprocal cooperation were discussed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has directed the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka to actively engage in the protection of Nepali students in Bangladesh amid the ongoing unrest there.

Taking stock of the current situation of Bangladesh with the Embassy through telephone, Minister Rana issued a directive to actively participate in the protection of the Nepali students.

Nepali Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari informed that all the Nepalis including students in Bangladesh are safe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Saying that although most of the students have already returned home, Minister Rana directed the Embassy to keep in touch with the Nepali people who are still there and take necessary initiatives for the protection.

The Dhaka-based Nepali Embassy has issued a notice on Monday urging all the Nepali to stay safe and exercise caution.

The notice stated that most of the students have returned home from Bangladesh and currently there are 400 students who are in safe hands.  

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned following weeks of protests over job quota reforms, Bangladesh High Commission officials told Reuters in Delhi.

Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H. Hashmi paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba on Monday.

During the meeting, various matters relating to Nepal-Pakistan relations and cooperation were discussed. 

Nepal and Pakistan have had an excellent relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960.

There is a close collaboration in the areas of economic collaboration, trade and investment, tourism and in the areas of education and culture. 

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said that the Government of Nepal was making utmost efforts for the safe release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student in Israel, supposedly under the control of Hamas militant group.

Minister Rana shared this to the father of the missing Joshi, Mahananda Joshi, and his family members in a meeting held at the Ministry in Singha Durbar today.

The family of missing Joshi appealed to the newly appointed Minister Rana to take initiatives for Bipin's release. 

During the meeting, Minister Rana said that she received the information that Joshi was under the control of Hamas group and was safe.

The Minister also informed the visiting family that they came to learn that all those taken under control by Hamas after the attack in Israel were safe and her Ministry was making utmost efforts for Joshi's release.

The Minister said that she recently took stock of Joshi from the Israeli Ambassador to Nepal and all those held by the Hamas group following the attack were safe, Minister Rana said the Israeli envoy as saying.

According to her, the Israeli Ambassador was also working on the release of Joshi and assured that they were leaving no stone unturned for his release.

"We hope that he will be released safely from the control of Hamas," she expressed her hope.

According to her, she has been working on this issue ever since she assumed the office. She also admitted that she has been urging all foreign ambassadors who come to meet her for their necessary support and effort for the release of Bipin.

She recalled the appeals made with the Qatari Emir during this visit to Nepal for taking initiatives for Joshi's release. According to her, her Ministry will make an appeal with the Qatari government for necessary support towards this.

Joshi, who is reportedly under the control of the Hamas group, has been out of touch since the Hamas launched an attack on Israel last October.

Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba on Friday.

Various aspects of Nepal-EU relations were discussed in the meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Similarly, Chargé d’ Affaires of the British Embassy Pippa Bird paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Rana on Thursday. Matters relating to Nepal-UK relations and cooperation were discussed in the meeting.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal, Sudarshana Pathirana, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba.

During the meeting held at the Office of the Foreign Minister in Singha Durbar today, they discussed matters of mutual welfare and interest of the two countries, and various dimensions of Nepal-Sri Lanka relations, according to the Ministry.

After receiving briefings from intra-party departments, newly elected Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba, has begun her work. Her immediate task upon taking office was to facilitate the return of Nepali students from Bangladesh, where violence erupted following nationwide protests by students demanding the abolition of the quota system in government jobs.

On Wednesday, Minister Deuba appeared before the parliamentary committee on International Relations and Tourism, where she faced a broad range of questions on foreign policy, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI, China’s flagship program unveiled by Xi Jinping in 2018, has once again become a focal point in both domestic and foreign policy with the formation of the new government under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Minister Deuba informed the parliamentary committee that although the broad agreement on the BRI was signed in 2017, discussions on its implementation plan have only just begun. She said key details such as the project modality, loans, and specific projects are still to be finalized. She emphasized that any agreement must undergo broader discussion before signing, citing the extensive debate on the US’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Parliament as a precedent.

Minister Deuba further stated that the debate should not be confined to a few ministries but should include input from a wider section of stakeholders. The first phase will involve discussions within the government, with the Parliamentary committee being informed subsequently. She reassured that the broad agreement poses no threat, as it is an overarching document, and emphasized the need for collective input on how to proceed with the BRI.

This is Minister Deuba’s first statement on the BRI. China has long pressed for the signing of the BRI implementation plan. The previous government, led by CPN (Maoist Center), was prepared to sign the document, but it was canceled at the last minute by then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sought permission to sign the document, Dahal did not grant consent.

It was widely reported that the document was not signed due to disagreements over loan terms. However, former Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha later clarified that the implementation plan does not mention the investment modality. He added that the issues of investment would be addressed in a separate project implementation plan to be signed after the implementation plan.

Political parties are divided over China’s BRI. The CPN-UML and other communist parties advocate for progress on the BRI and are open to taking soft loans if necessary. The Nepali Congress, a key coalition partner, has officially decided to accept only grants, not loans, under the BRI. However, the BRI’s investment modality involves joint investments in specific projects, with China potentially providing some concessions.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, in his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Oli, expressed his desire to implement the understandings reached between top leaders of the two countries and to promote collaboration under the China-Nepal Belt and Road Cooperation, as well as in other areas. While major parties have similar positions on the BRI, some adopt a softer stance for public posturing. 

In Nepal, the BRI is often perceived as a loan to finance development infrastructure. Recently, China has advised Nepali politicians to select smaller projects under this initiative instead of large, financially viable ones.

Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal, Dr Danielle Meuwly Monteleone, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba at the latter's office in Singha Durbar today.

Various matters relating to Nepal-Switzerland relations and cooperation were discussed in the meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Also today, Non-Resident Ambassador of Canada to Nepal, Cameron Mackay, paid a farewell call on Foreign Minister Dr Deuba.

On the occasion, the Foreign Minister thanked the Ambassador for his efforts in further strengthening Nepal-Canada relations.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba at the latter's office on Monday.

During the meeting, discussions were held on various matters relating to Nepal-Japan relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Similarly, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal Park Taeyoung also paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Rana and discussed matters relating to Nepal-Republic of Korea relations.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba at the latter's office in Singha Durbar on Friday.

Various aspects of Nepal-US relations including development cooperation, mutual benefit and partnership were discussed on the occasion, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.