Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Prakash Saud, has said the government efforts continue for the safe release of Bipin Joshi from Kanchanpur, reportedly held hostage by Hamas in Israel.
In his address to the 17th anniversary celebrations of Shuklaphanta FM, a community radio in Mahendranagar today, the Minister said, "We have consistently urged the Government of Israel for Bipin's safe release. I personally visited Qatar, which has good relations with Palestine, to request the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to initiate efforts for Bipin's release." He assured that the release is expected during the second phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The parents of Bipin Joshi took the opportunity to appeal to the Minister for the government's intervention to ensure their child's safety. Minister Saud responded by reassuring them that their son would return to home during the second phase of the ceasefire.
On a different context, he said that Nepal's relations with its neighbors have been lately improved and they have been balanced.
According to him, during the Prime Minister's recent visit to India, an agreement was reached for the trade of 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal to India over ten years, with India committing to purchasing power from Nepal for a period of 25 years.
