KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa exchanged messages of congratulations with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov as the two nations marked the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between them.

Thapa thanked Lavrov and the Russian government for their constant support in socio-economic development and also congratulated them on the occasion; informed a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

He also underlined the work of both countries on issues including terrorism, climate change and interests of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), expressing hope to work cordially at regional and international levels within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

In response, Lavrov accepted Thapa’s messages and congratulated Thapa and Nepali people on the very occasion.

In the message, Lavrov applauded Nepal’s independent foreign policy stating that the countries were bound by the idea of a just, democratic world order and with the principles of supremacy of the international law.

He further expressed to work with Nepal in the interests of Nepali and Russian people for stability and security, the statement read.