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MOFA BULLETIN
Current Affairs
17 September - 16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu
www.mofa.gov.np
MoFA Bulletin
Inside This Issue
A. BILATERAL AFFAIRS 2
B. REGIONAL AND MULTILATERAL AFFAIRS 5
C. POLICY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY 12
D. PROTOCOL RELATED AFFAIRS 12
E. SERVICE DELIVERY 15
A. BILATERAL AFFAIRS
TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF NEPAL AND
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Narayan Khadka and
State Councilor & Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the
People’s Republic of China
Mr. Wang Yi held a telephone
conversation on 19 October
2021, and discussed the entire
announced to provide including its fight against the
gamut of the bilateral relations
additional grant of 2 million pandemic. The two ministers
including COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines to also agreed to work closely
cooperation, bilateral trade
Nepal. Foreign Minister on the issues of common
and commerce, development
Dr. Khadka appreciated the interest and to further
cooperation and border
Government of the People’s promote friendly and long-
management.
Republic of China for its standing bilateral relations
During the conversation, continuous support to Nepal’s and cooperation between the
Foreign Minister Mr. Yi development initiatives two countries.
HANDOVER OF JAYNAGAR-KURTHA RAIL SECTION
The handover ceremony of handed over the completed Bardibas rail link project.
Jaynagar - Kurtha cross - rail section to Nepal Railway The operationalization of
border rail section between Company Limited.
this cross-border rail will
Nepal and India was held on
India has assisted to contribute to enhancing trade
22 October 2021. On behalf
complete 34.9 km out of and commercial activities and
of the Government of India,
IRCON International Limited 68.72 km rail link under facilitate easy movement of
- the executing agency - the Jaynagar - Bijalpura - people.
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17 September-16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
AMBULANCES AND OTHER SUPPORTS FROM JAPAN
On 04 October 2021, the were equipped with a COVID-19 response, Japan
Government of Japan stretcher, an oxygen cylinder also provided additional 114
provided six Japan-made and an emergency medical oxygen generators to Nepal
ambulances to Nepal which box. As a support to Nepal’s on 28 October 2021.
NEPAL-INDIA JOINT PROJECT MONITORING COMMITTEE MEETING (JPMC)
Nepal-India Joint Project Government of Nepal and of housing, education, health
Monitoring Committee Mr. Anurag Srivastava, Joint and cultural heritage. Both
(JPMC) Meeting on post- Secretary (North), Ministry of sides expressed satisfaction on
earthquake reconstruction External Affairs, Government the successful completion of
projects was held in of India. 50,000 houses in Gorkha and
Kathmandu on 30 September Nuwakot districts of Nepal,
2021. The meeting was co- The meeting reviewed the and noted with appreciation
chaired by Mr. Sushil Chandra progress of post-earthquake the progress made in
Tiwari, Secretary, National reconstruction projects reconstruction projects.
Reconstruction Authority, assisted by India in the sectors
FOURTEENTH MEETING OF NEPAL-INDIA BILATERAL CONSULTATIVE GROUP
The 14th meeting of the Foreign Affairs of Nepal, 13th meeting, and discussed
Nepal-India Bilateral and the Indian delegation the areas of cooperation
Consultative Group on was led by Mr. Anurag including capacity
Security Issues (NIBCGSI) Srivastava, Joint Secretary at development and military
was held in Bengaluru, India the Northern Division of the training, joint military
on 28-29 October 2021. The exercise, defence hardware,
Ministry of External Affairs
Nepali delegation was led by disaster management,
of India.
Mr. Tirtha Raj Wagle, Joint exchange of visits, and joint
Secretary at the South Asia The NIBCGSI reviewed the sport expeditions/adventures
Division of the Ministry of progress deliberated on the among others.
FIFTH MEETING OF BILATERAL CONSULTATION MECHANISM BETWEEN NEPAL
AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
The 5th meeting of Bilateral North East Asia of MoFA, of Nepal-RoK relations and
Consultation Mechanism Nepal and the South Korean stressed the importance of
high-level exchange of visits
between Nepal and the delegation was led by Mr.
and engagements to further
Republic of Korea was held in Sangryol Lee, Director
promote friendly ties between
Kathmandu on 9 November General for Asian and Pacific
two countries.
2021. The Nepali delegation Affairs of MoFA, RoK. During
was led by Mr. Lok Bahadur the meeting, both sides Various aspects of bilateral
Thapa, Joint Secretary for discussed the overall state relations between Nepal and
3
MoFA Bulletin
RoK including cooperation technology, education, views on possible cooperation
on COVID-19 response tourism, culture, and people- in mutually beneficial areas
and recovery, employment to-people contacts were at regional and multilateral
permit system (EPS), discussed during the meeting. levels including the United
trade, investment, energy, Both sides also exchanged Nations and SAARC.
FIFTH NEPAL-INDIA COORDINATION MEETING
The 5th Nepal-India General of APF, Nepal, and 4th Nepal-India Coordination
Coordination Meeting the Indian delegation was Meeting and sought for
between Armed Police Force led by Mr. Kumar Rajesh further measures to enhance
(APF), Nepal and Sashastra Chandra, Director General, mutual coordination and
Seema Bal (SSB), India was SSB, India. cooperation, while also
held in New Delhi from 4 to The meeting reviewed the underscoring the importance
7 October 2021. The Nepali progress made on the security of continued cooperation for
delegation was led by Mr. scenario at Nepal-India regulating cross-border illegal
Shailendra Khanal, Inspector border as deliberated on the activities.
NEPAL-INDIA FIFTH JOINT WORKING GROUP AND THE SEVENTH PROJECT
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The 5th meeting of Joint Mr. Anurag Bhusan, Joint discussed issues such as land
Working Group (JWG) on Secretary at the Ministry of acquisition, handing over
Nepal-India Cross Border External Affairs respectively. of the completed packages,
Rail Link Projects and the 7 th demobilizing if cost-and-
During the JWG meeting,
meeting of Project Steering IRCON International Limited time overrun persists, ROW
Committee (PSC) for the made a presentation on the issues, power supply, capacity
Implementation of India- current status of Jayanagar- and manpower to run the
Nepal Cross Border Rail Bardibas and Jogbani- services, security to sites,
Links were organized in New Biratnagar railways and on personnel and materials etc.
Delhi on 7 and 8 October operationalizing the train On the occasion, the two
2021 respectively. services in the completed sides also signed the MoU for
Jaynagar-Kurtha section. Final Location Survey (FLS)
Mr. Keshab Kumar Sharma, Resolving the issues for of Raxaul-Kathmandu Rail
Joint Secretary at the Ministry smooth implementation of the Link and the Joint Standard
of Physical Infrastructure project and operationalization Operating Procedure (SOP)
and Transport led the of the services were also
Nepali delegation to both for Operationalizing Rail
discussed during the meeting.
the meetings. Similarly, the Service between Jaynagar
Indian delegations to the Likewise, the 7 th
PSC (India)-Kurtha (Nepal)
JWG and PSC meetings reviewed the progress in the section.
were led by Dr. Manoj Singh, implementation of railway
EDTT/F, Railway Board and projects in Nepal and
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17 September-16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
B. REGIONAL AND MULTILATERAL AFFAIRS
NEPAL PARTICIPATED AT HIGH LEVEL IN COP26
Prime Minister Mr. Sher damage issue as a key concern The Prime Minister also
Bahadur Deuba led the in view of the increased mentioned that Nepal
high-level Nepali delegation phenomena of climate remains firmly committed
to the 26 th
Conference of induced disasters, the Prime to the implementation of
Parties (CoP26) of the UN
Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC)
held in Glasgow, the United
Kingdom from 01 November
2021.
Addressing the World Leaders
Summit of the Conference,
the Prime Minister urged the
The Prime Minister Delivering the Keynote Speech
world leaders to recognize the during CoP26 Conference
specific climate vulnerability Minister called the Parties Paris Agreement which is
in the mountains, and to to agree on making ‘loss and evidenced by its ambitious
accord high priority to the damage’ a stand-alone agenda NDC, the national plan
mountain agenda in all for negotiations while also to decarbonize Nepal’s
climate-related negotiations. agreeing on the framework of economy in all sectors, and
Underscoring the loss and additional financing for it. its target to reach a net zero
emission by 2045. He also
urged the Parties to agree on
a clear roadmap for a new
collective, quantified and
ambitious goal on climate
finance before 2025.
On the sidelines of the
Conference, Prime Minister
Sher Bahadur Deuba held
The Prime Minister with the British Prime Minister and the separate bilateral meetings
UN Secretary General during CoP26 Conference
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MoFA Bulletin
with the high level dignitaries and Sri Lankan President cooperation were discussed
including Indian Prime Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Matters on those occasions.
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi of mutual interests and
The Prime Minister with the Indian The Prime Minister with the President of
Prime Minister Sri Lanka
PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES THE UN FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT, 2021 AND THE
HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE ON ENERGY
Prime Minister Mr. Sher
Bahadur Deuba made a
video statement in the UN
Food Systems Summit on 23
September 2021. Highlighting
the disruptions caused by
the COVID-19 and the
climate change in LDCs and
LLDCs, the Prime Minister,
in his address, underscored
the pro-poor and inclusive
The Prime Minister Addressing the High Level Dialogue on Energy
policies adopted under his
leadership to tackle poverty
Similarly, Prime Minister for a robust and renewed
and hunger, to save people’s
Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba global partnership to build
lives, and to rebuild the addressed the ‘High-level a greener, safer and more
economy better and stronger. Dialogue on Energy’ on sustainable world. He also
The Prime Minister stressed 24 September 2021, which called for ensuring easier
the need to translate the was held virtually under and direct access to financing
commitments into building a the auspices of the United the modern technologies
resilient and sustainable food Nations General Assembly. for the countries in special
system in order to achieve In his statement, the Prime situations.
zero hunger by 2030. Minister stressed the need
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17 September-16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
The Prime Minister pathways and net-zero other renewable energy
also expressed Nepal’s emissions through the sources.
commitment to realize utilization of Nepal’s vast
climate-resilient development hydropower potential and
PARTICIPATION IN THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND OTHER
HIGH-LEVEL EVENTS
Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan
Khadka led the Nepali
delegation to the 76th session
of the United Nations General
Assembly in New York on 27
September 2021.
In his address, the Foreign
Minister highlighted the
devastating impacts of
the COVID-19 pandemic
The Foreign Minister Addressing the General Debate of
and appreciated the efforts
the 76th UNGA Session
made by the international
community including the stressed the need for a more the rights of people, revitalize
United Nations system in representative, inclusive, and the United Nations’.
addressing the challenges transparent Security Council
On the margins of the 76th
and a more revitalized
posed by the pandemic. UNGA, Foreign Minister
General Assembly.
He also emphasized on Dr. Narayan Khadka held a
the need to ensure fair and The General Debate’s theme, bilateral meeting with Mr.
equitable access to vaccines this year, was ‘Building Abdulla Shahid, President of
for everyone, everywhere. resilience through hope-to the 76th session of the United
recover from COVID-19, Nations General Assembly,
On the occasion, the Foreign
rebuild sustainably, respond to at the latter’s Office on 25
Minister also outlined the needs of the planet, respect September 2021.
Nepal’s foreign policy
priorities and underlined
the indispensability of
multilateralism with the
United Nations as its centre
to build global understanding
and cooperation, promote
shared interests, and secure
our common future. He also
expressed Nepal’s support on
the measures and initiatives
taken for UN reforms and The Foreign Minister with the President of the 76th UNGA
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MoFA Bulletin
Congratulating Mr. Shahid contribution to the
on the assumption of the UN peacekeeping.
role of the President of the
76th session of the United On the sidelines of
Nations General Assembly, the 76th UNGA, the
the Foreign Minister assured Foreign Minister had
him of Nepal’s full support a bilateral meeting
in the discharge of his with Foreign Minister
duties. Foreign Minister also and Minister of State
expressed Nepal’s support for Cabinet Affairs
to the priorities of the PGA of Kuwait Dr. Sheikh
The Foreign Minister with the
set for the UNGA in making United Nations Under-Secretary-General Ahmed Nasser Al-
the UN better and more for Peace Operations
Mohammed Al-
functional. Earlier, in his meeting with Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-
Mr.Jean-PierreLacroix, Sabah on 23 September 2021.
Under Secretary- Matters of mutual interests
General for Peace including trade, investment,
Operations, Foreign tourism, resumption of a
Minister Dr. Narayan direct flight, and people-
Khadka appreciated to-people contacts were
the Secretary discussed on the occasion.
General’s - Action Both sides agreed to work
for Peacekeeping together in addressing the
(A4P) Initiative, issues of migrant workers
The Foreign Minister with the Under-
Secretary-General of the Department of and assured him of including those of domestic
Operational Support
Nepal’s continuous service workers in Kuwait.
On 27 September 2021,
Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan
Khadka met Under-Secretary-
General of the Department of
Operational Support Mr. Atul
Khare. During the meeting,
USG Mr. Khare thanked
Nepal for its contribution
in peacekeeping, while also
mourning on the loss of fallen
soldiers in service. The Foreign Minister with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait
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17 September-16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
to further strengthen the
long-standing friendship
and cooperation. Both the
Ministers agreed that the
outstanding issues between
the two countries should be
solved through dialogue and
consultation.
In his meeting with the
Foreign Minister of Bahrain
The Foreign Ministers of Nepal and Bangladesh in the Meeting Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al
The Foreign Minister also acknowledged the importance Zayani on 27 September 2021,
held a bilateral meeting with of excellent people-to-people Foreign Minister Dr. Khadka
Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, relations existing between the discussed on bilateral
Minister of Foreign Affairs of two countries. cooperation especially in the
Bangladesh on 25 September fields of human resources,
Foreign Minister Mr. Khadka trade, investment, and
2021. During the meeting,
the two Ministers exchanged had a bilateral meeting with tourism. Both the ministers
views on promoting bilateral, Dr. S. Jaishankar, External agreed to expedite the
regional, and multilateral Affairs Minister of India, in pending agreements and work
cooperation. The discussion New York on 26 September closely for more cooperation
was focused on the need for 2021. During the meeting, and collaboration in future.
enhanced collaboration in the two Ministers reflected
on the multifaceted aspects The Annual Ministerial
the areas of trade, investment,
hydropower development and of bilateral relations between Meeting of the Least
cross-border energy, trade Nepal and India, and Developed Countries (LDCs)
among others. Both leaders expressed their readiness was held virtually during the
76th session of the United
Nations General Assembly
on 17 September 2021.
Addressing the meeting,
Foreign Secretary Mr. Bharat
Raj Paudyal underscored
the need of international
cooperation for Nepal’s
sustainable graduation. While
highlighting the consequences
of the COVID-19 pandemic
The Foreign Minister with the External Affairs Minister of India on peoples, societies, and
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MoFA Bulletin
impacts of the COVID-19
and climate change, and
called for an enhanced level
of international support
measures in the form of
ODA, FDI, aid for trade, and
technology transfer.
The 10th Ministerial
Conference of the
Community of Democracies
The Foreign Minister in Meeting with the Foreign Minister of Bahrain was held virtually under the
economies of the LDCs,
including Nepal, he also called
for equitable, affordable, and
universal access to vaccines.
Similarly, the 20th Annual
Ministerial Meeting of
Landlocked Developing
Countries (LLDCs) was
held virtually during the 76th
session of the United Nations
General Assembly on 23
The Foreign Secretary Addressing the Annual Ministerial Meeting of LDCs
September 2021.
about the pre-existing Romanian Presidency on the
In his address, the Foreign challenges of LLDCs that margins of the 76th session
Secretary Mr. Bharat are being compounded of the UN General Assembly
Raj Paudyal mentioned by the unprecedented on 22 September 2021. While
addressing the Conference
through a pre-recorded video
message, Foreign Secretary
Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal said
that the inherent quality
of democracy provides the
space for organizing societies
in the best possible manner
by managing diversity,
dissension and differences
The Foreign Secretary Addressing the Annual Ministerial Meeting of LLDCs and promoting tolerance
1017 September-16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
and respect for others. The side-event on the theme, life in dignity, and stopping
Foreign Secretary further “How changing availability of discrimination against them.
stated that the inclusive, water from ice and snow will
Similarly, Nepal participated
participatory and equitable impact our societies?” On
in the 15th Ministerial
democratic governance the occasion, Ambassador
Conference of the United
can stand resilient to any Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai
Nations Conference on
shocks and turmoil including highlighted the importance
Trade and Development
political radicalism, economic of water for sustaining life
(UNCTAD), which was
downturns, disasters, and the on earth which remains even
jointly held in Bridgetown,
pandemics like COVID-19. more important in the context
Barbados, and Geneva in
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The High-level Plenary a virtual mode from 03-
He also underscored the
Meeting to Commemorate 07 October 2021, with the
impacts of climate change in
and Promote the International theme ‘From Inequality and
Nepal. The virtual event, held
Day for the Total Elimination Vulnerability to Prosperity
on the margins of the 76th
of Nuclear Weapons was for All’. The Nepali
Session of the UNGA, was
held on 28 September 2021. delegation was led by the
jointly organized by Nepal,
Addressing the plenary Secretary at the Ministry
Pakistan, Russian Federation,
meeting, Ambassador/ of Industry, Commerce,
Tajikistan, UNDESA,
Permanent Representative of and Supplies Mr. Dinesh
UNESCO (IHP), UNEP, UN-
Nepal to the United Nations Bhattarai.
Water, and WMO.
Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai
Nepal participated in
called for the general and Nepal also participated in the
the 39 th
Session of the
complete disarmament of UN LGBTI Core Group High-
Universal Periodic Review
nuclear and other weapons of level Event on Leaving No One
Working Group, held from
mass destruction in a time- Be-hind: Decriminalization 1 to 12 November 2021 in a
bound manner, including the of Sexual Orientation and hybrid mode. Nepal served
strengthening of the NPT,
Gender Identity organized as the troika member along
CTBT, and TPNW regimes.
on 22 September 2021. Nepal with France and Libya
On 22 September 2021, Nepal stressed on the right of the to facilitate the UPR of
participated in the High-level LGBTI people to enjoy their Eswatini.
PARTICIPATION IN THE HIGH-LEVEL COMMEMORATIVE MEETING OF NAM
Foreign Minister Dr. Commemorative Meeting in Belgrade on 11-12
Narayan Khadka led to mark the 60th anniversary October 2021. Nepal is one
the Nepali delegation of the Non-Aligned of the founding members
to the High-level Movement (NAM), held of the NAM and has been
11MoFA Bulletin
playing an active role in loudly and act decisively mankind, he underscored
the Movement ever since for the very poor, weak the need to galvanize
its establishment. and vulnerable countries. south-south cooperation
In his address, the Foreign Highlighting the issues to liberate and uplift
Minister emphasized that of climate change and countries and peoples from
NAM should re-claim its challenges posed by the the clutches of poverty,
rightful place and speak COVID-19 pandemic to inequality and deprivation.
C. POLICY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY
PROVINCIAL INTERACTION PROGRAMMES ON PROMOTION OF NEPAL’S
EXPORT TRADE, INVESTMENT AND TOURISM
The Ministry of Foreign October 2021 for the tea export and also
Affairs organized an promotion of Nepali tea discussed on the role of the
interaction programme export. The programme Foreign Ministry and the
with the local businessmen explored the opportunities Nepali diplomatic missions
and entrepreneurs in and challenges related to abroad in facilitating the
Province No. 1 on 4-5 the promotion of Nepal’s export of tea from Nepal.
Interaction with Local Tea Enterpreneurs at Jhapa and Ilam in Province No. 1
D. PROTOCOL RELATED AFFAIRS
President Mrs. Bidya Devi and France amid a function residential and non-
Bhandari received the held at Sital Niwas on 30 residential ambassadors
credentials from the foreign September 2021. Similarly, of Brazil, Italy, Malta and
residential ambassadors of the President received South Africa on 22 October
Egypt, Germany, Norway credentials from the foreign 2021.
1217 September-16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
Ambassador Ms. Noha Hamdy Ahmed Elgebaly of Egypt
presenting the credentials
Ambassador Dr. Thomas Heinrich Prinz of Germany
presenting the credentials
Ambassador Ms. Torun Dramdal of Norway
presenting the credentials
13MoFA Bulletin
Ambassador Mr. Gilles Boubao of France
presenting the credentials
Ambassador Mr. Carlos Alberto Michaelsen Den Hartog of Brazil
presenting the credentials
Ambassador Mr. Vincenzo De Luca of Italy
presenting the credentials
1417 September-16 November 2021 | Volume 6, Issue 2
Ambassador Mr. Reuben Gauci of Malta
presenting the credentials
Ambassador Mr. Joel Sibusiso Ndebele of South Africa
presenting the credentials
E. SERVICE DELIVERY
NON-RESIDENT NEPALI RELATED
S. N. Services (only from the Ministry) Number
1 Issuance of NRN Cards 11
PASSPORT RELATED
S. N. Services Number Remarks
From Districts, Missions
1 Passports issued 1,16,666
and the Department
1,14,094 Ordinary
79 Diplomatic
Total number of passports issued 263 Official
2
(According to document type) 2,221 Gratis Ordinary
9 Travel Document (TD)
1,16,666 Total
15MoFA Bulletin
Emails responded including social
3 3,129
networks
4 Lost passport registered in the Interpol 4,753
5 Null and Void Passports 3
Verification of Citizenship records and
6 2,613
letters of in-approval
Revenue collected (From the Department
7 41,78,46,500/-
of Passport only in Rs.)
CONSULAR RELATED
S. N. Services Number
A Consular and Legal Counselling
Recommendations for medical treatment, religious tour and
1 6
others
2 Issuances of No Objection Certificate for education 925
3 Recommendations for issuing Nepali driving license 15
4 Recommendations for character verification 94
Recommendations for procurement of chemicals &
5 8
explosives
6 Correspondences regarding the citizenship renouncement 0
7 Correspondences regarding the Power of Attorney 39
Correspondences to district administration offices regarding
8 79
compensation
Correspondences concerning search and rescue of Nepali
9 99
nationals
Correspondences with regards to repatriation of dead body
10 23
of Nepali nationals from abroad
B Visa and Exemption
1 Issuances of diplomatic/official/gratis visa 204
2 Issuances of diplomatic/official ID Card 64
3 Issuances of recommendation letters for exemption 454
4 Other correspondences and recommendations 267
Number of visa recommendations to the foreign missions
5 97
on Government of Nepal's nominations
C Attestation
1 Number of documents attested 53,560
Revenue collected from the Department of Consular
2 3,05,60,500/-
Services (in Rs.)
Chief Patron: Hon’ble Dr. Narayan Khadka Editorial Team
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Bharat Kumar Regmi, Joint Secretary
Patron: Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal Mr. Kiran Shakya, Under Secretary
Foreign Secretary Ms. Bishnu Kumari Adhikari, Section Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
16 Policy, Planning, Development Diplomacy and Nepali Diaspora Division
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal, Tel: 4200182-185, Fax: 4200061, 4200160, E-mail: ppdo@mofa.gov.np
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