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Nepal-Russia Relations
Political
Nepal and the then Soviet Union had established diplomatic relations in 1956. Soon after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, Government extended full and formal diplomatic recognition to the Russian Federation as a sovereign and independent state on December 28, 1991. Foreign Ministers of Nepal and the Russian Federation exchanged congratulatory messages in July 2001 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. They both emphasized the need for enhanced exchanges of visits and interactions at various levels for consolidating bilateral relations.
Some Important Visits
- In 1958, His Late Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev paid a state visit to the Soviet Union.
- On his way to participate in the twenty-fourth Session of UNGA in New York, Foreign Minister Mr. Gehendra Bahadur Rajbhandari paid a friendly visit to the Soviet Union in 1969.
- Mr. Krishna Raj Aryal, then Minister for Foreign Affairs paid a visit to the Soviet Union in 1975.
- In 1976, Mr. Lokendra Bahadur Chand, then Deputy Chairman of the Rastriya Panchayat, led a delegation to Moscow to participate in the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Soviet Union.
- His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev paid a state visit to USSR in 1976.
- HRH Prince Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev paid an informal visit to the Soviet Union in 1985.
- Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ramesh Nath Pandey paid an official visit to the Russian Federation from October 23 to 26, 2005.
From Russian Side
- The Soviet Union sent its President Marshal Voroshilov on a state visit to Nepal in 1960.
- In May 1977 Mr. N. P. Firyubin, Deputy Foreign Minister of the USSR paid an official visit to Nepal.
- The First Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of USSR Mr. V. V. Kuznetsov visited Nepal in December 1981.
- Deputy Prime Minister of Moldavia Republic of the Soviet Union Ms. Nelly Pavlovna Kiriyach visited Nepal in 1985. Her Majesty the Queen granted audience to her during her visit to Nepal.
- First Deputy Minister of Justice Mr. Yuri Dmitrievich Severin visited Nepal in 1996 on the occasion of 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the USSR.
- Mr. Yuri Fokin, Secretary General of USSR Foreign Ministry visited Nepal in August 1987 for consultation.
- The Deputy Foreign Minister of USSR, in charge of South Asia Mr. Igor Alexseevich Rogachyov visited Nepal on May 28 and 29, 1987 at the invitation of Government of Nepal.
- Mr. Georgi F. Kunadze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, paid an official visit to Nepal from December 24 to 26, 1992.
- Visit of Hon'ble Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ramesh Nath Pandey to Russian Federation
Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ramesh Nath Pandey visited Russia from October 23 to 26, 2005. During the visit, Hon'ble Minister Pandey met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation H. E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov. Both the Ministers held one-to-one meeting and shared extremely useful views on further widening and deepening relationship and cooperation in political, trade and economic, educational, cultural, security and technological fields. Both the Ministers have realised the need for upgrading bilateral consultation at the level of Foreign Minister. The discussion also covered issues of common concerns such as terrorism, multipolar world structure, disarmament, non-proliferation and strengthening of the United Nations.
Like Nepal, Russia also shares the views that foreign domination and interference of any kind should not be acceptable. Russia said that it has deep understanding of the current situation in Nepal and reaffirmed support for Nepal's fight against terrorism and measures aimed at ending internal conflict. Russia has also assured of its continued support towards this end. Russia shares with Nepal the firm views that double standard and selective approach to deal with terrorism must be stopped for the elimination of terror from the world.
Russia has also appreciated Nepal's role in UN peacekeeping and Nepal's constructive efforts for the development of regional cooperation in South Asia. Both the countries have expressed commitment to faithfully implement the provisions of the Outcome Document adopted by the High Level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, including the provisions relating to terrorism and democracy.
Hon'ble Foreign Minister Mr. Pandey also exchanged constructive views with influential lawmakers in Russia. Hon'ble Minister met the Chairman of the Committee on International Link of the Russian Parliament, DUMA, H. E. Mr. Konstantin I. Kosachev. This meeting proved useful in acquainting the Russian Parliament about the importance of Nepal-Russia relationship in promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. H. E. Kosachev expressed the views that the Russian Parliament is eagerly waiting to establish an effective link with the Nepalese Parliament and that the forthcoming general elections in Nepal would provide that opportunity.
While in Russia, Hon'ble Foreign Minister Mr. Pandey also visited the State Technical University (MADI), one of the oldest universities in Russia, and exchanged views with the Dean and Heads of different faculties of the University. The discussion was focussed mainly on enhancing academic cooperation between the University and the Nepalese academic institutions. Hundreds of Nepalese nationals have been educated in the University.
In reflection of deep respect to the institution of Monarchy and the people of Nepal, the University has decided to confer the title of Honorary Doctorate on His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and to open a scientific research hall dedicated in the name of His Majesty with inscription on illustrious and visionary personality.
The other important event that took place during the visit of Hon'ble Foreign Minister Mr. Pandey was the visit to the Institute of Oriental Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Hon'ble Foreign Minister shared with the scholars at the Institute the situation in Nepal and apprised them of the efforts undertaken by Nepal to end terrorism, restore peace and stability and reenergize democratic process.
During the visit, Hon'ble Foreign Minister Mr. Pandey attended a programme organised by the Russia-Nepal Chamber of Commerce and held extensive discussion with businessmen and entrepreneurs with a view to encouraging them to increase trade between the two countries and attract investment in Nepal. Hon'ble Foreign Minister also attended a programme organised by the Russia-Nepal Friendship and Cooperation Society. He had an interaction with Former Russian Ambassadors to Nepal, imminent businessman and industrialists and friends of Nepal during the programme. They have expressed their commitment to work for promoting Nepal-Russia relationship at people-to-people level.
Hon'ble Foreign Minister Pandey, along with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister H. E. Mr. Alexander U. Alekseev jointly inaugurated the first-ever Handicraft Exhibition organized at the Royal Nepalese Embassy. A large number of people from various strata of Russian society including senior officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Chairman and office bearers from Russia Nepal Friendship Society, leading businessman and industrialists and friends of Nepal attended the Exhibition. The Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chairman of the Committee on International Links of the Russian Parliament, DUMA, also spoke during the programme. They expressed that the visit by the Foreign Minister has expanded the scope of cooperation between the two countries.
The official visit to Russia by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal took place after 30 years. Former Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Krishna Raj Aryal had visited the then USSR in 1975.
Other Visits
Mr. Georgi F. Kunadze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, paid an official visit to Nepal from December 24 to 26, 1992. The visit contributed towards strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. During the official talks, the two sides discussed ways and means of strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Russia, particularly through trade and exchange in cultural and educational fields. The two sides also agreed on the idea of annual consultations at the Foreign Ministry level.
A Nepalese delegation led by Foreign Secretary Mr. Kedar Bhakta Shrestha made an official visit to Moscow in September 1995. During the visit, a protocol for bilateral consultation between the two Foreign Ministries was signed in Moscow on September 5, 1995. The protocol is mainly aimed at broadening exchange of views between the two Foreign Ministries on bilateral cooperation and on global, regional and international issues of mutual interests.
The Director of the Third Asian Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mr Rashit Hamidullin visited Nepal from February 28 to March 2, 1997. On October 1998, Foreign Secretary Mr. Murari Raj Sharma visited Russia. During the visit Foreign Secretary Mr. Sharma had a meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mr. Grigory Karasin.
Consultation Meeting
The last round of bilateral consultation between Nepalese and Russian delegations was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu on February 13, 2003. The Director of the Third Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Gleb A. Ivashentsov led the Russian delegation. Similarly, Mr. Nabin Bahadur Shrestha, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Nepalese delegation. During the consultation, both sides reviewed current international situation and the status of Nepal-Russian Federation bilateral relations.
Russia's position on Nepal's political development after the Royal Proclamation of February 1, 2005
On February 2, 2005, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia issued a following statement on events in Nepal:
"A state of emergency was declared in the Kingdom of Nepal on February 1. A number of articles of the Constitution have been suspended in this connection and King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has headed up the Government himself. The term of office of the new Cabinet has been set for three years. During this period the King says he expects to restore peace and order in the country. The measures undertaken by the King have been triggered by the complicated internal political situation in Nepal, stemming from large-scale actions by left-wing extremists for the last few years, which had blocked the democratic processes in the country, in particular, the holding of parliamentary elections. The efforts of the previous governments to solve problems with the insurgents by negotiations and to return the country into the mainstream of democracy had failed.
Moscow is watching the course of events in the Kingdom. Russian and Nepal are bound by long-standing relations of mutual sympathies and cooperation. It is expressing the hope that friendly Nepal will be able to independently solve the problems facing it and the restoration of conditions of stability and security in the country will combine with the strengthening of democracy and economic and social progress.
In a congratulatory message sent to Hon. Mr. Ramesh Nath Pandey on his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs, H. E. Mr. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation expressed hope stating, "the friendly relations traditionally existing between Russian and Nepal will further develop to the benefit of our nations, in the interest of peace, security and cooperation in Asia and all over the world."
While thanking H. E. Mr. Lavrov for his congratulatory message, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Pandey mentioned that Nepal and the Russian Federation enjoy the age-old friendly relations based on mutual trust and cooperation. Hon. Pandey further said that Government of Nepal highly appreciates the Government of the Russian Federation's understanding and cooperation on the Nepalese efforts to bring about peace, stability and prosperity to the Nepalese people and institutionalization of democracy.
Economic Cooperation
The then Soviet Union had extended important economic and development cooperation to Nepal's development efforts. Their cooperation in building physical and industrial infrastructure also contributed to accelerate the modernization process in Nepal in the past. Similarly, a large number of technical manpower was trained in the then Soviet Union mainly in the engineering and industrial fields. Entrepreneurs from the Russian Federation participated in a big way in the Nepal Investment Forum meeting held in Kathmandu in November 1992 and a number of letters of intent were signed between the two sides.
There are good possibilities of promoting bilateral economic co-operation between Nepal and Russia, especially in the field of joint industrial venture. Russian technology specially relating to hydro-power plants and accessories, building materials, non-conventional uses of energy and small and medium-scale labour-intensive industries, is considered to be particularly suitable for Nepal. Private airlines have bought Russian helicopters for operating passenger and cargo services in the remote areas of Nepal.
Trade
Balance of trade between Nepal and Russia has been remaining unfavourable to Nepal since last several years. Nepal's major exports to the Russian Federation consist of hand knotted carpets. Nepal mainly imports electrical equipment, industrial raw material, parts of airplane and helicopter and newsprint from the Russian Federation.
Tourism
Tourist arrival in Nepal from Russian Federation is gradually increasing over the years. Aeroflot, the Russian airline closed its weekly flight to Kathmandu since January 13, 2002 stating that the route was not commercially viable. However, it has maintained the right of Russian airlines to operate flights to Kathmandu and is prepared to resume flights once it decides that they are commercially viable.
Joint Venture
A joint venture in the area of gliding service has been operating with the financial collaboration of Russian investor. License has been provided to open an industry to produce generators under joint venture. Similarly, a firm has been licensed under Russian joint investment to produce computer software.
Scholarship:
Since 1992, Nepalese students have been going to Russia for higher studies on self-finance basis. Moreover, Russian Federation has been providing a limited number of scholarships to Nepalese students in the fields of medicine and engineering. At present, permissions granted to the students, who would like to pursue further studies with approval of the concerned Universities or educational institutions on self-finance basis, by the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bilateral agreements
Agreement on the Abolition of Visa Requirements for the Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports was signed in Kathmandu on 16 April 2002. The Agreement simplifies the official travel of diplomatic and official passport holders of the Kingdom of Nepal to the Russian Federation and vice versa by eliminating visa requirements for a maximum period of 180 days.
Europe America Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Nepal
Last updated on April 3, 2006
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