Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba held a meeting with Andrii Sybiha, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Photo: Minister Rana's X)
Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has urged Ricky Gill, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and National Security Council Senior Director for South and Central Asia, to facilitate the release and repatriation of Bipin Joshi, who has been in Hamas captivity since October 7, 2023.
Foreign Minister Rana made this request to Gill on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi today. During the meeting that lasted for a few minutes, Minister Rana also discussed Nepal-US ties with Mr Gill.
"I requested H.E. Gill to facilitate the release and repatriation of Bipin Joshi, who has been in Hamas captivity since October 7, 2023. H.E. Gill and I also discussed Nepal-U.S. ties, which are rooted in shared democratic and human rights values. I am confident that our cooperation will continue to grow over the years," the Foreign Minister mentioned on X after the meeting.
Prior to this, Ms Rana also met with Mihai Popsoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. During the meeting with Popsoi, Rana exchanged views on Nepal-Moldova relations. Mr Popsoi is visiting Nepal in the near future.
Likewise, Minister Rana held a meeting with Andrii Sybiha, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. During the meeting, Ms Rana requested Mr Sybiha to facilitate the release and repatriation of seven Nepali nationals taken as Prisoners of War by Ukrainian forces, apart from dwelling on identifying avenues for strengthening Nepal-Ukraine ties.
"I requested H.E. Sybiha to facilitate the release and repatriation of 7 Nepali nationals taken as Prisoners of War by Ukrainian forces. H.E. Sybiha and I also discussed and identified avenues for strengthening Nepal-Ukraine ties. To this end, Nepal and Ukraine have signed an Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic, Official, and Service Passports," the Foreign Ministry said.
Minister Rana, who left for India on March 10 on a religious visit, is participating in the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, the capital of India. The Dialogue organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of India is taking place in New Delhi from March 17. The three-day international dialogue will end on March 19.
The prime ministers and foreign ministers, leaders and policy makers from various countries across the world are attending the Raisina Dialogue.
Additionally, she will address separate sessions titled 'Status and Problems of Climate Change and What the South wants?' on behalf of Nepal, apart from addressing the 'Digital Public Infrastructure Conclave'.
Moreover, Minister Rana is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with her Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar and counterparts from other friendly countries, according to her secretariat.
Earlier, after landing in India, Minister Rana visited Baba Baidyanath Dham, a religious site, offered worships in Jharkhand, India. She will also undergo medical check-up during her India visit, according to the Foreign Ministry.
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