|
 |
Nepal-Saudi Arabia Relations
Political Relations
The Kingdom of Nepal and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established their diplomatic relations on March 15, 1977. Immediately, Nepal opened its Embassy in Saudi Arabia in 1978. Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Nepal and Saudi Arabia have been enjoying best of relations with each other.
Despite Nepal being an only Hindu Kingdom in the world and the Saudi Arabia, Holy-land of the Muslims all over the world, bilateral relations have continued to be strengthened on the basis of five principles of peaceful co-existence, friendship and cooperation. Both the nations have expressed avowed commitments and loyalty to the principles of the United Nations Charter and work together in the United Nations as well as other international for a for the common benefit of the humankind.
Bilateral Visits
- His Majesty the King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev visited Saudi Arabia on an official visit in 1983 at the capacity of His Royal Highness Prince.
- Their Late Majesties King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya also paid a visit to Saudi Arabia in 1983.
- The then Minister for Labour Mr. Bal Bahadur K.C. also visited Saudi Arabia on a official visit in 1999.
- After the killing of 12 Nepalese nationals by terrorists in Iraq, a high level delegation headed by then Minister for Information and Communication Dr. Mohmad Mohsin visited Saudi Arabia in 2004. The delegation included then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat and then Minister of State for Labour and Transport Management Mr. Urba Dutt Pant.
- Representing His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras visited Riyadh to express condolences on the sad demise of His Majesty King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud in August, 2005.
- High-level visits between the two countries have greatly contributed in enhancing the relations between the two countries. People to people relations have grown steadily after the arrival of Nepalese labourers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia just a decade ago. Despite coming from a very starkly different social, geographical and religious as well as cultural environment, Nepalese have been welcomed by the Saudi people very much due to their dedication to work, loyalty, sincerity and integrity.
- Every year a large number of Nepalese Muslim community pay a visit to the holy sites Makkaha and Madina to perform Haz pilgrimage. Government of Nepal has been facilitating to the Community so that they could perform their time-honoured pilgrimage without any hindrance. The support and cooperation received from the Saudi Government to Nepalese pilgrims is also noteworthy and has greatly contributed in further cementing the bonds of friendly relations existing between the two countries and the people.
Economic Cooperation
Economic cooperation between the two countries began in 1978 when Nepal opened its Embassy in Saudi Arabia. The economic cooperation extended by the Saudi Government has been primarily focused towards upliftment of Muslim community, agricultural development and emergency assistance.
Nepal has received loan assistance from the Saudi Fund for Development for several hydroelectric projects including Marsyngndi Project. Saudi Arabia has also extended loans to the Bagmati Irrigation Project.
A great prospect of economic cooperation exists between the two countries. Trade, Commerce and promotion of tourism are yet to be explored and tapped. Saudi Arabia is a country with vast oil and mineral resources and Nepal can explore for cooperation in this sector.
The trade between Nepal and Saudi Arabia has remained in favor of Saudi Arabia. Nepal exported items of Rs. 517,616 in the period of 2003/4. The major export items included Handbags, Carpet, CD Cassette, and Woolen Shawls. At the same period, Nepal imported items of Rs 2,547,900,875.Major imported items were Comin Seeds, Cardamom, Lubricating Oil, Antibiotics, Motor Sprits, Personal Deodorants, and Polyisobutylene. The trade deficit stood at Rs 2,547,383,259. Nepal should explore the ways to fill the gap of trade deficit by increasing export to Saudi Arabia.
Back to Bilateral Relations
|
|
|
