Nepal marks 50th anniversary of establishment of ties with Kuwait

KUWAIT: To mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Kuwait, Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait organized a program on 7 December 2022 amidst the presence of the members of Diplomatic Corps, members of business community, friends of Nepal , media fraternity and members of Nepali community in Kuwait.

In this important milestone year, the embassy in cooperation and coordination with Kuwait government as well as in partnership with private sector and local Nepali community had been organizing a number of programs and activities throughout the year 2022.  The two countries established diplomatic relations as early as 25 February 1972.

Sami Abdulaziz Al Hamad, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Government of Kuwait was the Guest of Honor of the event. The program was jointly inaugurated by Ambassador Sami Abdulaziz Al-Hamad, Ambassador of Nepal Durga Prasad Bhandari and his Spouse Bhandari and Dean of Diplomatic Corps His Excellency Zubaydullo Zubaydov in Kuwait by lighting the lamp.

Addressing the gathering Durga Prasad Bhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to Kuwait, recalled the growing bilateral relations in the last 50 years between Nepal and Kuwait. He mentioned about some major projects in Nepal financed by Kuwait Fund under soft loan arrangement ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations and said that these projects were mainly focused on energy and agriculture.

He said that Kuwait has remained an important destination for Nepali migrant workers and added that Nepali nationals who have been working in Kuwait have been contributing to the economy of Kuwait as well as helping  significantly in bolstering the ties of friendship between the two countries at peoples’ level. He underlined that the relationship between Nepal and Kuwait has been growing from strength to strength in the last 50 years.

According to him, the exchange of visits between the two countries, regular interactions at higher political level, cooperation on matters of mutual interest and of international importance as well as solidarity and support at difficult hours have helped to promote friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation between Nepal and Kuwait both at Government and peoples’ level.

Ambassador Bhandari mentioned about the new development in the area of air connectivity between Nepal and Kuwait in the year 2022. He said that Nepal’s two important cities are connected with Kuwait City with direct flights being operated by three different airlines companies. Jazeera Airways has started direct flights from Kuwait International Airport to Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahawa of Nepal in May 2022 whereas a Nepali airlines company Himalaya Airlines has started direct flight between Kathmandu and Kuwait City since July this year.

Highlighting the recent development in this field, he further added that Kuwait Airways, the National Flag Carrier of Kuwait, has also started its direct flight operation between Kuwait City andKathmandu since last month. Ambassador Bhandari expressed the belief that these new developments in the area of civil aviation sector would contribute further to the enhancement of ties in the realm of trade, travel and tourism between Nepal and Kuwait.

To mark this Golden Jubilee year, the embassy of Nepal in Kuwait in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Central Blood Bank of Kuwait organized a blood donation campaign at Central Blood Bank Jabriya in March in which there was an encouraging participation of Nepali nationals to donate blood.

He underlined that as part of their initiative to celebrate the important milestone year of the 50th anniversary, the Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait in partnership with City Group Company of Kuwait organized a program in which the pictures of two major heritages of Nepal and Kuwait were depicted to the information of general public through the double decker buses of the company plying in different routes in Kuwait City for about two months in April- May this year.

On this historic occasion, The embassy has also joined hand with IWG to organize a Cultural Day event in the month of June this year. He further underscored that the Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait carried out electronic illumination of iconic Kuwait Tower with the National Flags of Nepal and Kuwait for the first time in the history their bilateral relationship.

On 25 February, commemorating the day on which the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1972, an interaction program regarding the employment opportunity in Kuwait was held at the embassy premises. In the evening Deepawali was performed in which the Chancery building was illuminated with multi-coloured light.

Ambassador Bhandari extended sincere gratitude to all who have helped him in organizing various programs and events to mark the 50th anniversary of Nepal- Kuwait diplomatic relations. He began his remarks with greetings and best wishes to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for their good health and happiness and also extending best wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Kuwait.

Sujani Rana, Counselor of the Embassy, welcomed the guests and Ranadhwaj Lama, a member of Nepali community in Kuwait, appreciated the activities undertaken by the embassy to mark the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Kuwait. A photographic presentation was also made covering the major activities undertaken in this Golden Jubilee year. The presentation of Nepali traditional costumes under the theme ‘Unity in Diversity: Nepal’s Speciality” by some Nepali artists was the major attraction of the program.

Traditional costumes of different communities of Nepal were presented on that occasion. The program was also marked by a number of cultural performances including Nepali folk songs, traditional dances, music and songs by Nepali artists. The program was followed by buffet dinner which is served along with some traditional Nepali food items (Sel roti, Aaluachar, Furoula and Kukhurakochoyala) at the end of the program.

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