KATHMANDU, MAY 21

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, is set to arrive in Kathmandu next week, marking the first-ever visit to Nepal by a New Zealand Foreign Minister.

"Peters will depart New Zealand on 23 May and return on 31 May, visiting Australia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India," the New Zealand Government said in a statement.

In Kathmandu, Peters will meet President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Foreign Minister Rana Deuba.

"This visit underscores the special relationship between New Zealand and Nepal, coinciding with the anniversary of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary's ascent of Mount Everest. It also reciprocates Nepali Foreign Minister's visit to Wellington last year," the statement added.

According to Alexander Hillary, General Manager of the Himalayan Trust (New Zealand), this will be the first-ever ministerial visit from New Zealand. "During the trip, Peters will visit two key historical projects supported by the Himalayan Trust in the Everest region," he said, noting that a development assistance announcement is also expected.

The New Zealand Government provides annual contributions to the Himalayan Trust and actively participates in commemorating significant events. In 2008, it established the Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship, enabling young leaders from Nepal and India to visit New Zealand. Since 1994, New Zealand has allocated approximately NZ$30 million in development assistance, focusing on education, capacity building, and agriculture.

During his meetings with Nepali officials, Peters will review bilateral relations and explore ways to strengthen cooperation through enhanced economic and cultural ties."New Zealand and Nepal share a warm and friendly relationship, rooted in the historic 1953 Everest ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay," Alexander said.

Currently, New Zealand is supporting education initiatives in Nepal's Everest region, including teacher training, scholarships, improved school facilities, and better coordination with local education authorities. Additionally, New Zealand has offered scholarships to Nepali students since the mid-1950s under the Colombo Plan.

After Nepal, Peters will travel to New Delhi to meet Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. "Over the past 18 months, New Zealand and India have worked to deepen their relationship for mutual benefit. This visit will assess progress," the statement noted.