Kathmandu, Nov 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ requested Qatari government for its cooperation in securing the release of Bipin Joshi from the captivity of Hamas. PM Dahal made such request during a courtesy call he was paid by the visiting Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, on Friday morning, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry. The PM appreciated Qatar’s mediation in humanitarian pause in Gaza and release of hostages. Matters of mutual interest including trade, investment, development cooperation and employment of Nepali nationals in Qatar were discussed during the meeting.
Earlier, Al-Muraikhi called Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, at the latter’s office. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction on the existing state of bilateral relations and agreed to explore the prospective areas including investment in Nepal, cooperation in the field of education and sports, exchange programmes, scholarships, employment of skilled and semi-skilled Nepali nationals in Qatar, among others. Besides complimenting Qatar’s role in easing the situation in Gaza and the release of the hostages, the Minister reiterated the request for Qatar’s facilitation for the early release of Bipin Joshi. The Qatari side informed their continuous efforts in releasing the hostages and easing the humanitarian situation.
Moreover, the Qatari delegation led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Secretary, Bharat Raj Paudyal, at his office. Both sides reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations. While expressing satisfaction on the progress made in different sectors, the Foreign Secretary requested for enlisting Nepal in the skilled category for labour supply to Qatar, provide special access to Nepali products in Qatari markets and extend development cooperation through Qatar Fund for Development. Later in the afternoon, Foreign Minister Saud hosted a luncheon to welcome the Qatari delegation led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi.
The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and his delegation left for Doha this evening after completing the two-day official visit to Nepal. Foreign Secretary Paudyal and other senior officials of the Ministry bade farewell to the dignitaries at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the press release added.
