MUSCAT, NOVEMBER 11
At a time when Nepal faces serious challenges related to migrant workers in the Middle East-particularly those entering countries through illegal channels-the lack of comprehensive policies has left many vulnerable to exploitation by organized human traffickers. Despite the government's ban on issuing domestic worker visas to Gulf states, many still find ways to reach the region, driven by limited employment opportunities back home.
Oman's rapid development and its ambitious Vision 2040 strategy present multiple avenues for bilateral cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and even cricket diplomacy. In this context, Mausam Shah 'Nepali' of The Himalayan Times spoke with Nepal's Ambassador to Oman, Dornath Aryal, a seasoned diplomat widely respected among the Nepali diaspora, to discuss migration issues, emerging opportunities, and the prospects for deepening Nepal-Oman relations.
THT: How is Nepal's diplomatic relationship with Oman?
Excerpt: We have maintained excellent diplomatic and bilateral relations with Oman since the establishment of formal ties on January 21, 1977. The relationship has grown even stronger following the opening of Nepal's residential embassy in Muscat in 2013, which has played a vital role in further strengthening our bilateral engagement and supporting the growing Nepali community in Oman.
Currently, around 25,000 Nepalis reside in Oman. A majority of them are employed as domestic workers, while others work as skilled professionals, including engineers, healthcare personnel, and business entrepreneurs, among others.
THT: What are the key areas of cooperation and recent agreements between Nepal and Oman?
Excerpt: As ambassadors, we do not always have frequent opportunities to meet the Sultan or His Majesty directly. However, while presenting my credentials, I drew His Majesty's attention to the need for high-level visits between the two countries-mentioning that while several delegations from Nepal had visited Oman, there had been no reciprocal visit from the Omani side.
With a smile, His Majesty turned to the Foreign Minister and instructed him to begin such exchanges, starting with a ministerial visit to Nepal.
Oman holds a strategic position within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), while Nepal is also strategically located between the two major powers, India and China. Recognizing this, the two sides have intensified engagement in recent months. For the first time, an Omani Foreign Minister-led delegation visited Nepal in August 2024, followed by a high-level visit from Nepal's Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, to Oman.
THT: What are the key areas of cooperation and the new agreements signed between Nepal and Oman?
Excerpt: I have personally proposed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that are currently in the pipeline, including those related to energy and health cooperation, to the concerned ministries here in Oman. The ministers in this country are highly knowledgeable and experts in their respective fields-if we can present our proposals convincingly, they make sound and timely decisions.
Recently, our Foreign Minister signed a new agreement on tourism, as well as an MoU between Nepal's Institute of Foreign Affairs and Oman's Diplomatic Academy. Likewise, an arrangement for an on-arrival automatic diplomatic visa for three months, an MoU with the National Museum of Oman, and several official visits to Nepal have been successfully signed and implemented during my tenure.
Most importantly, the MoU on the labour contract is now in its final phase and is expected to be signed in the near future, which will mark a significant milestone in formalizing labour cooperation between the two countries. During these exchanges, both sides signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at promoting cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.
THT: Are there any efforts underway to strengthen the social, cultural and tourism ties between the two nations?
Excerpt: Cultural promotion plays a crucial role in enhancing tourism, and the media has an equally significant part to play in that process. We have facilitated five familiarization trips for groups of Omani media professionals to visit Nepal and experience its culture and attractions firsthand.
Wherever I have been posted, I have consistently organized events to promote Nepal's tourism-notably on occasions such as Everest Day and Buddha Jayanti, which is also observed globally as the International Day of Vesak or the UN Day. Taking advantage of such occasions, we invite ambassadors, social influencers, and media representatives, and we also encourage Everest summiteers to share their experiences of Nepal with the audience.
In collaboration with Omani officials, we had planned to invite five Nepali artists to perform in Muscat and to send joint invitations, diplomats, government officials among others. However, due to the recent Gen Z protests in Nepal, the proposed event has been postponed.
During major festivals, we also conduct various cultural and public diplomacy programs to further strengthen mutual understanding and foster goodwill between the two countries.
THT: What are the embassy's priorities for protecting and safeguarding the rights and welfare of Nepali workers in Oman?
Excerpt: All passport holders of Nepal are our citizens-regardless of their caste, creed, identity, or profession. Protecting them abroad remains the embassy's foremost priority.
We regularly organize passport distribution camps in various cities, including Salalah, Nizwa, and Sohar, to make consular services more accessible. In collaboration with the NRN Social Club Oman, we also conduct awareness programs and community outreach events aimed at supporting and educating Nepali migrant workers.
When the embassy was first established, there were 9000 Nepalis in Oman, among whom 633 were legally employed as domestic workers in Oman. today, that number has grown to around 25,000, of which 10,000 are domestic workers. Even for those who have entered the country through irregular or undocumented channels, the embassy coordinates closely with local authorities to ensure their safety, rights, and well-being.
THT: Despite Oman being one of the rapidly growing nations, why is the number of Nepali workers there lower compared to other GCC countries?
Excerpt: There are at least 1.4 million Nepalis working across other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. As you rightly mentioned, despite Oman's rapid growth, the number of Nepali workers here remains relatively low.
However, my focus is not on increasing numbers, but on ensuring dignified employment for our citizens. We have established clear labour standards that must be met before approving any employment demand. I do not want Nepalis to work under the scorching sun for merely 60 Omani rials a month-at that rate, what would they be able to save or send home?
Our position is that workers should receive a minimum monthly salary of 120 Omani rials. Once the labour MoU is signed, I believe the number of Nepalis working in Oman will gradually increase, as employment will take place under fair and regulated conditions. My message for the Nepali migrant worker is to undersand and respect local law, rules regulations, culture and religion before coming to host country.
THT: Despite Nepal's ban on sending domestic workers to Gulf states, illegal migration continues. What is your perspective on this issue?
Excerpt: I have been advocating on this issue for a long time. Migration is a natural phenomenon, and it is difficult to halt entirely. While the government has imposed a ban, has it completely stopped illegal migration? Certainly not.
Last year alone, we rescued 241 Nepalis from such situations, and recently, 14 others were intercepted after entering Oman illegally from Kuwait. If we can create legal pathways for employment, we would be able to better regulate and protect Nepali workers. In my view, the upcoming labour MoU has the potential to address many of these pressing issues, providing both security and legal clarity for migrant workers.
THT: Has the embassy taken any concrete steps to attract Omani investment in Nepal's tourism, energy, and infrastructure sectors?
Excerpt: Definitely. The embassy has made several efforts to attract Omani investment in Nepal, particularly in the tourism and energy sectors. We organized an investment summit where we met with leading Omani business figures, and we even facilitated visits for some of them to Nepal. Initially, they had expressed interest in investing through the Oman Fund with government approval. However, a shift in Oman's national policy-prioritizing domestic investment over foreign ventures-prevented that from materializing.
I have also held multiple meetings with officials from the Oman Investment Authority. Oman aims to become a global leader in green energy, targeting the production of 1 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030 and 3.75 million tonnes by 2040. Nepal can learn a great deal from Oman's investment model, especially in terms of how the country has successfully created an enabling environment to attract large-scale investments.
THT: Have you identified any potential for exporting Nepali agricultural products to Oman?
Excerpt: There is tremendous potential for Nepali agricultural products in Oman. I have personally requested major department stores to allocate space for Nepali goods, and their response has been very positive. However, one of the key challenges for Nepali exports lies in maintaining continuity after fulfilling the initial orders. For Nepali products to succeed in this market, quality, quantity, and consistency are of paramount importance.
I have also engaged with prominent business figures in the Dhofar region-one of Oman's provinces rich in minerals and resources-and have written to the concerned authorities in Nepal, urging them to send a delegation to explore and materialize these opportunities.
Moreover, I have consistently advocated for the export of high-end, value-added Nepali products, rather than just regular or low-margin items. Lack of direct air-connectivity is hampering in this regard.
THT: Do you see any possibility of resuming direct air connectivity between Kathmandu and Muscat in the near future?
Excerpt: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were direct flights between Nepal and Oman-at times even two flights per week-operated by Salam Air and Oman Air. However, airlines operate based on business viability, and perhaps the current market demand does not justify immediate resumption.
I have requested Salam Air to resume flights, and they have assured me that services will restart next year, although no specific timeframe has been defined yet. Oman Air, unfortunately, is not in a strong position at the moment, as it has leased a significant portion of its fleet to other airways.
I have also reached out to Nepal Airlines and Himalayan Airlines regarding this matter, emphasizing its importance during several rounds of bilateral consultation mechanisms. The issue is not solely on their side-Nepal, too, faces challenges such as high aviation fuel costs and the need for specialized pilot training to operate in mountainous terrain.
I even proposed Bhairahawa and Pokhara as alternative destinations for possible routes, but the airlines declined, citing the risks associated with launching new destinations. Additionally, I have discussed the possibility of exercising the 'Fifth Freedom Rights' under international aviation agreements with Nepal Airlines and Himalayan Airlines, given that over 83,000 Nepalis reside and travel across Europe. Such a provision could help make the route more commercially viable in the long run.
THT: Do you have any message for aspiring Nepali migrant workers?
Excerpt: Before travelling to any foreign country, I urge aspiring migrant workers to thoroughly understand the host country's laws, regulations, culture, traditions, and religion. I also advise them to carefully review their employment contracts and to feel free to consult the embassy before signing any agreements hastily or under the influence of agents.
