KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat on Thursday requested his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop to open an Australia visa centre in Nepal itself.

Currently, Nepalis visiting Australia are required to get their visas from New Delhi of India though there is the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu.

In response, Bishop said Mahat's request was practical and she would take initiatives for the same.

Mahat had met Bishop at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Canberra today, according to Mahat's press coordinator Yekraj Pathak.

Other issues of mutual concerns were discussed in the meeting, according to Pathak.

Mahat on the occasion had also expressed his attitude for the support Australia provided in Nepal's economic, social and education development including post-earthquake relief last year.

In response, the Australian leader said she would consult other stakeholders about the support Australia could provide to the Himalayan nation.

Meanwhile, Mahat also held a meeting with Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Anna Fierravanti-Wells among other leaders.

Charge d'affaires ad interim at the Canberra-based Nepali Embassy Rajendra Pandey was also present on the occasion.