Nepal–Russia to Hold Third Bilateral Consultation Meeting, Discuss Cooperation

Dragon Media Correspondent

Nepal and Russia will hold the third meeting of their bilateral consultation mechanism in Kathmandu on Wednesday. As the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai will lead the Nepali delegation, while Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko will lead the visiting Russian delegation.

The two countries signed a consultation protocol in 1995 to facilitate regular discussions and exchanges on bilateral, regional and international issues. The mechanism’s first meeting was held in Moscow in 2007 and its second in Kathmandu on April 17, 2018.

The meeting is expected to review Nepal–Russia relations and discuss expanding cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, culture and technical assistance. Regional and international issues, as well as cooperation in multilateral forums, are also expected to be on the agenda.

At a dialogue hosted by the Russian Embassy in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Rudenko expressed condolences to the government and people of Nepal over the loss of life and property caused by floods. He praised Prime Minister Balendra Shah for raising Nepal’s climate-related risks at the UN General Assembly and described climate change as an “alarm bell” for the world. Russia was ready to provide Nepal with assistance within its capacity, he said.

Rudenko also said 52 scholarship places would be available for Nepali students seeking higher education in Russia in the coming academic year. He described education, culture and people-to-people ties as important foundations of bilateral relations and pledged to continue cooperation in these areas.

The Nepali side is also expected to raise the recruitment of Nepali citizens into the Russian military and compensation for the families of Nepalis who have gone missing or died.