Kathmandu, August 16 

The first meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between Nepal and Australia was held here today.

Opening the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi highlighted the policies of the government on foreign affairs and priorities in development endeavours. He also elaborated Nepal’s relationship with Australia, priorities and future course of action for bilateral engagement, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia also discussed matters of bilateral importance.

The two sides exchanged their views on further strengthening the overall relations and cooperation existing between the two countries. Exchange of high level visits, strengthening collaboration and cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, human resource development, energy, connectivity and education, among others, were discussed during the meeting, read the statement.

Joint secretary at the ministry Tapas Adhikari and DFAT Assistant Secretary Andrew Collins led the discussions from their respective sides. They were supported by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other line agencies of the Government of Nepal. Australian embassy’s Head of Development Cooperation Ainsley Hemming, Deputy Head of Mission Graham Murphy, DFAT Officer Emily D’ATH, and Lyndall Corbett and Elizabeth Renneberg from the Australian High Commission, New Delhi, also contributed to the discussion from the Australian side.

Ambassador of Nepal to Australia Lucky Sherpa and Ambassador of Australia to Nepal Peter Budd also spoke on the opening session and contributed to the discussions. The MoFA and DFAT had established Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on 14 July 2017.