KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 24

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal requested the Qatari government's cooperation in securing the release of Bipin Joshi from Hamas captivity during a courtesy call made by the visiting Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, on Friday morning. This request was confirmed in a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry.

PM Dahal commended Qatar's mediation efforts for a humanitarian pause in Gaza and the release of hostages. Discussions during the meeting covered various mutual interests, encompassing trade, investment, development cooperation, and the employment of Nepali nationals in Qatar.

Earlier, Al-Muraikhi held discussions with Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, where both sides expressed contentment with the current state of bilateral relations. They also agreed to explore opportunities, such as investment in Nepal, educational and sports cooperation, exchange programs, scholarships, and the employment of skilled and semi-skilled Nepali nationals in Qatar.

While acknowledging Qatar's role in easing the Gaza situation and releasing hostages, Minister Saud reiterated the request for Qatar's facilitation in the prompt release of Bipin Joshi. The Qatari delegation assured their ongoing efforts toward releasing hostages and improving the humanitarian situation.

Furthermore, the Qatari delegation, led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, held bilateral discussions with Nepal's Foreign Secretary, Bharat Raj Paudyal, covering all aspects of bilateral relations.

The Foreign Secretary expressed contentment with progress in various sectors and requested Qatar to categorize Nepal in the skilled labor supply, grant special access to Nepali products in Qatari markets, and extend development cooperation through the Qatar Fund for Development.

In the afternoon, Foreign Minister Saud hosted a luncheon to welcome the Qatari delegation before their departure. The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and his delegation concluded their two-day official visit to Nepal and departed for Doha in the evening.

At Tribhuvan International Airport, Foreign Secretary Paudyal and other senior ministry officials bid farewell to the departing dignitaries, as stated in the press release.