Marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations, Nepal officially inaugurated the chancery of its embassy in Lisbon, Portugal on Thursday.
The opening coincided with Nepal’s 76th National Democracy Day, signaling a new era for the estimated 40,000-strong Nepali community in the European nation.
The ceremony was jointly led by Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Ana Isabel Xavier. While the embassy had been providing skeletal services since April 16, 2025, this formal launch institutionalizes diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the inauguration was met with sharp criticisms from the local Nepali diaspora. During an interactive session following the ceremony, community representatives voiced grievances regarding exorbitant fees, bureaucratic hurdles.
"The service has started, but the costs are stinging," noted one representative. In response, Foreign Secretary Rai assured the community that the Ministry is "positive" about addressing these grievances and will initiate procedural reforms to ease the burden on workers.
Secretary Rai’s visit to Lisbon also served a strategic purpose: convening the first meeting of the Nepal-Portugal Bilateral Consultation Mechanism.
Established in 2018, the mechanism is now being fast-tracked to finalize a long-awaited bilateral labor agreement. With Nepalis heavily involved in Portugal’s agriculture, service, and industrial sectors, the embassy is expected to act as a vital shield against exploitation while streamlining visa and passport processes.
The event also celebrated Nepali talents. Secretary Rai presented awards to the winners of an essay competition held during the 2082 (BS) Constitution Day. The first prize was given away to Prashant Shrestha of Kathmandu while Journalist Kapil Dev Khanal bagged the second prize. Both received certificates and a cash prize of Rs 32,000 each.
The ceremony was attended by Nepal’s Ambassador to Portugal, Prakash Mani Paudel, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Andrés Carrascosa Coso, alongside other high-ranking officials.
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