KATHMANDU, JANUARY 10
Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba today requested the governments of Qatar and Egypt, through their ambassador to Nepal, to take the initiative for the release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who is under the captive of the Hamas group since October 7, 2023, amid the war between Israel and Palestine.
The government requested both countries to take special initiatives for the release of Bipin through the ambassadors of Egypt and Qatar to Nepal.
Following the news that the Hamas group was going to release 34 people who were taken hostage, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has requested the governments of Qatar and Egypt, which are major mediating chains with Hamas, to assist in the release of Bipin.
Foreign Minister Dr. Deuba requested the Egyptian government during a courtesy call with Egyptian Ambassador to Nepal, Noha Hamdy Ahmed ElGebaly at the ministry on Friday.
MoFA 'X' (formerly Twitter) post reads, "The conversation dwelt on various issues of bilateral relations between Nepal and Egypt while primarily focusing on the liaison of the Government of Egypt for the immediate release of Mr. Bipin Joshi, who has been taken captive by Hamas since 7 October 2023."
Minister Deuba also contacted Qatari Ambassador to Nepal Mishal Mohammed Ali Alansari and requested him to take the initiative for the release of Bipin. Ambassador Ansari, who is currently in Qatar, said that he would talk to the Qatari Foreign Minister and provide an update regarding the matter.
"During the conversation, various matters relating to Nepal-Qatar relations were discussed. The Hon. Minister made a special mention of Mr. Bipin Joshi, who has been taken captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023 and requested the Government of Qatar through the Ambassador for its continued support as a key role player in the negotiation between Israel and Hamas to put Mr. Joshi's name in the up-coming list of captives to be released," reads the MoFA post on 'X'.
"The Ambassador expressed his commitment to convey the concern raised by the Hon. Minister to the Government of Qatar immediately. H.E. The Ambassador is currently on vacation in Qatar."
Foreign Minister Rana has urged the governments of both countries to take the initiative for the release of Bipin, as information has floated that Hamas is preparing to release the elderly, women, children and people in critical health conditions under its control in the first phase.
Earlier, Minister Rana made the appeal through Israel's Ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, during his courtesy call at Singha Durbar on Wednesday. She emphasised the need for Israel's initiative in facilitating Joshi's release, particularly in light of reports suggesting that Hamas is set to release 34 captives.
After the news came out that the Hamas group was going to release 34 of the people kidnapped, including the elderly, women, children and people in critical health conditions, Minister Dr. Rana has taken diplomatic initiatives again for the release of Bipin.
The Palestinian Hamas group killed over a thousand people, including ten Nepalis, in an attack on Israeli territory in October 2023. They then kidnapped and held people hostage, including Bipin Joshi.
The government of Nepal has been continuing diplomatic efforts for the release of Bipin. Foreign Minister Rana has urged the international community to take the initiative for Bipin's release, including at the United Nations, various international and regional forums, and bilateral and multilateral discussions.
Bipin Joshi's elder cousin brother Chandra Kishore Joshi told THT that his family was anxiously awaiting good news of his brother's release. He said his family had not received any news about Bipin since the day he was taken hostage by Hamas group, except Israel's new Ambassador to Nepal saying that Arab sources had told Israel that Bipin was unharmed. He said the Israeli side had told the family to make their efforts to secure his release.
