Kathmandu, September 2

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, China, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met Russian President Vladimir Putin and extended an invitation for Putin to visit Nepal.

The two leaders looked to be exchanging warm and friendly words, reflecting the long-standing diplomatic ties between Russia and Nepal, which date back to 1956 in videos shared by various international media. Throughout the meeting, they expressed a strong desire to expand and deepen cooperation in a variety of areas, including cultural exchange opportunities.

President Putin praised Nepal as an 'old friend' and emphasised the two countries' cooperation on key global issues, claiming that their positions are 'very similar, even identical'. He recalled that diplomatic relations between Russia and Nepal were established in 1956, and next year would mark a significant anniversary of this bond, adding, 'In my opinion, we established diplomatic relations in '56 between our countries. Next year we will have a kind of anniversary.'

During the meeting, Putin told PM Oli: 'I believe we established diplomatic relations in 1956, and next year we will be marking an anniversary... I would like to note that we have never had any problems. Moreover, our positions on key issues on the international agenda are either very close or fully aligned, as diplomats usually say. We can also think about ways to expand and deepen our interaction in the most important areas.'

In response to Putin, PM Oli stated that 'since 1996, our bilateral relations have always been very good. I'm not sure why, but our two countries' friendly relations are a little strained right now.' He added, 'Before, I think, they were very strong ... no Russian president or top leader has visited Nepal until now, though people from Nepal have visited Russia. When I was the prime minister, I was in Russia in 1999 and 2000. I got the opportunity to understand and see the landscapes, geography, and historical places like Moscow and St Petersburg ... I also got the opportunity to go to neighbouring countries like Belarus and Ukraine.'

Following that, Putin invited PM Oli to visit Russia at any time that was convenient for him, while also promising to consider making a historic visit to Kathmandu himself, something no Russian head of state had done before.

'Mr prime minister, I will take advantage of your idea, and we will certainly consider visiting your country, Nepal. Meanwhile, we will always be glad to welcome you in Russia, at any time convenient for you,' Putin told PM Oli.

The conversation also touched on humanitarian and educational ties, with Putin highlighting the importance of education and cultural exchange between the countries.

PM Oli emphasised that when he visited Russia in 1999, there were over 5,000 students receiving a good education at various universities, particularly the Peoples Friendship University, where many students had the opportunity to study in Russia. Even now, many doctors in Nepal treat people who were educated in Russia.

Putin responded appreciatively, acknowledging the strong ties and the role of Nepali doctors trained in Russia, saying, 'Whenever people study in another country, including Russia, they leave it with very good impressions and warm memories. In this case, with memories of Russia. These people then become a natural link between Russia and their homeland, I mean Nepal.'

Putin also stated that, in terms of humanitarian cooperation, Russia places a high value on the ongoing educational and cultural exchanges. 'We will be glad to further develop this area of our cooperation. You mentioned that young Nepalis are showing an increasing interest in education in Russia in different areas,' he said. 'Of course, we will meet you halfway in identifying the most promising areas of study. We can also consider other spheres of humanitarian cooperation. I am sure the Russian public would be very interested, for example, in an exhibition of Nepali sculpture. Let us consider this possibility as well.'