Nepal, Pakistan to expand relations for mutual benefit: Envoy
Naveed Ahmad Khan Photos by Ghulam Farid
ISLAMABAD: Embassy of Nepal celebrated the 260th Raising Day of the Nepali Army in Serena. On the occasion Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Tapas Adhikari said that Nepal and Pakistan had a huge prospect of further expanding and diversifying relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples.
High official of Pakistan Armed Forces also attended the event. Tapas Adhikari, the Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan hosted the event. Nepal embassy Military Attaché Colonel Amrit Kaji Gurung was also part of the festivities
Ambassador said, “One important facet of the Nepal-Pakistan relations is military-to-military cooperation between the armies. Both the army has close and friendly relations. They support each other in eacekeeping operations.”
He said that Nepal and Pakistan enjoyed excellent bilateral relations.
The establishment of formal relations in 1960 between the two neighbouring countries had further strengthened it, he added.
The envoy said the bilateral relations were based on goodwill, mutual trust and cooperation. He said “Both countries hold similar views on many issues of common interests. People-to-people contacts, trade and economic cooperation are part of bilateral relations.”
The ambassador said Nepali Embassy in Islamabad had been working closely to expand and deepen our relations.
About the Nepal Army, he informed the audience that, established in 1762 AD, Nepali Army was one of the oldest and continuously serving army institutions in the world with a rich history of dedication and bravery.
Nepali Army was the main organ of the national security of Nepal and the first standing army in Asia which had a continued and unbroken history since its establishment, he added.
The Nepali army is renowned for its professionalism. Over the centuries, Nepali Army has embraced the change in accordance with the change of time and political will of the country and taken up new and emerging roles.
In addition to its regular responsibility of national security, the Army is also involved in non-traditional jobs such as disaster risk management, and nature conservation as well as in various infrastructure developmental works.
As part of Nepal’s commitments to global peace and security, the Nepali Army has regularly contributed to UN peacekeeping operations around the world since 1958.
In the last 65 years, more than 145,000 army personnel have contributed to global peace and order. 72 Nepali peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while serving the United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Nepal and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan officially established diplomatic ties on 20 March 1960. In 2019, both countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Along these lines, Nepal established a residential Embassy in Islamabad in 1962 followed by an Honorary Nepali Consulate General in Karachi in 1975. The two partners enjoy cordial diplomatic relations.
The two countries collaborate in a myriad of fields which include trade, strategic and military cooperation. Both states also signed agreements to reciprocate the “Most Favored Nation” status of significance to boost trade and cooperation.
Pakistan also agreed to provide Nepal with free trade access and transport facilities via the port of Chittagong in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) along with establishing an air link in 1963.
In the political realm, Pakistan, subsequent to the successful People’s Movement-II, also supported the democratic process in Nepal. Pakistan has been reiterating its support for Nepal’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and peaceful development ever since.
Aside from the political domain, the two partners also collaborate in the fields of economy and education. Pakistan provides diverse scholarships to Nepal’s citizens in different fields and subjects.