KATHMANDU, March 21: Finance Minister Barshman Pun discussed the illegal recruitment of Nepali citizens in the Russian army with the Russian ambassador to Nepal, Aleksei Novikov.

During the meeting, Finance Minister Pun drew the attention of Ambassador Novikov, who reached the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, to create an environment for returning the bodies of Nepalis who were killed in the Russia-Ukraine war, treating the injured, and providing relief and compensation to the families of the deceased.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already made it clear that it is not our policy to allow Nepali citizens to join the Russian army. However, Nepalis who have gone through different channels have joined the Russian army," Finance Minister Pun said. "There is a serious interest and concern of the general public along with the government of Nepal. I hereby request the Russian government to create an environment for Nepalis working in the Russian army to return home.

In response, Ambassador Novikov argued that the Government of Nepal was not guilty of recruiting Nepalis into the army and added that the Russians had not invited Nepalis to join the army. He said that Nepalis, who had reached Russia illegally from various countries including India and Dubai, had voluntarily joined the army.

He also claimed that he had received news that all Nepalis were not willing to return to their country even if Russia wanted to send them back.

“They were not recruited into the army forcefully. We have received news that more Nepalis are in a state of mind not to return home as they joined voluntarily," Ambassador Novikov said.

Ambassador Novikov also informed Finance Minister Pun that preparations are being made to release the Nepalis held hostage by the Ukrainian army by exchanging prisoners of war.

"We are ready to free the Nepalis from Ukraine in exchange with members of the Ukrainian army under the control of our army," he said.

Nepal Seeks Russian investment in hydropower and fertilizer sectors

Finance Minister Barshman Pun has asked Russia to invest in large hydropower projects and chemical fertilizer factories.

"We have ensured the international market for electricity consumption. Hydropower is a suitable sector in Nepal for international investors," Finance Minister Pun said, "The government has taken a policy to open chemical fertilizer factories in the country. If Russia is willing to invest in it, we are ready to create an environment for it.”

Finance Minister Pun also asked Ambassador Novikov to create an environment in which more Russian investors will attend the upcoming investment conference that Nepal is going to organize in April.

In response, Ambassador Novikov stated that Finance Minister Pun's proposal was positive and promised to talk to Russian investors.

He said that there is a very positive environment for Russian investment in Nepal due to geo-political reasons. Mentioning that Russia has good relations with China and India, both of Nepal's neighbors, he pointed out the possibility of opening a fertilizer factory targeting both countries in the Nepal-India border area or bringing and selling the produced materials.

According to Ambassador Novikov, a Russian delegation is visiting Nepal on Thursday to identify areas of investment on the initiative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia. He said that the delegation will conduct interviews with government officials, investment board officials and representatives from the private sector.

Published on: 21 March 2024 | My Republica