Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon on a two-day state visit in what is the most high-profile visit from the emirate to Nepal since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1977.

Al Thani had arrived at the invitation of President Ramchandra Paudel, who welcomed the guest at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, Chairman of the National Assembly Narayan Dahal, ministers and heads of the security agencies were present at the special function organised at the airport upon the emir’s arrival, a statement issued by the Office of the President said.

Al Thani is the highest-ranking head of state visiting Nepal from the West Asia or Gulf region.

After the ceremony, the emir left for Sheetal Niwas for a courtesy meeting with President Paudel. The government declared a public holiday on Tuesday in honour of the state visit by the emir. Heavy security has been deployed in Kathmandu for the safety of the state guest. Nepal Army Lieutenant General Ashok Sigdel is leading the security deployment that comprises security personnel from the Nepal Army, the Armed Police Force, the Nepal Police and the National Intelligence Department, said a senior security official.

Upon the emir’s arrival at Sheetal Niwas, he was welcomed by President Paudel. According to the Office of the President, besides President Paudel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Minister for Energy and Water Resources Shakti Basnet, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Secretary at President’s Office Dilliram Paudel, as well as advisers to President Paudel, among others, were present at the meeting.

President Paudel appealed to the emir for his support and intervention in securing a safe release of Bipin Joshi, who is believed to be in Hamas captivity following their October 7 attack on Israel. Nepal has made repeated requests to Qatar and other nations and international humanitarian organisations to help with Joshi’s release.

Responding to the President's request, the emir assured that he would try his best to secure Joshi’s safe release, Suresh Chalise, foreign relations adviser to President Paudel, told the Post.

“Joshi’s safe release is one of our prime concerns, and the President asked for the emir’s support in securing it,” Kiran Pokhrel, press adviser to President Paudel, told the Post.

Qatar maintains good relations with Palestine and Hamas and has been working to broker a deal to end the ongoing fighting between Hamas and Israel.

The National Human Rights Commission also had requested Qatar's Human Rights Committee to take the initiative to locate Joshi. The commission made the request in writing and also during face-to-face meetings with the officials from the Qatari committee, according to Surya Dhungel, a commissioner at the constitutional human rights watchdog.

In the meeting with President Paudel, the emir vowed to boost bilateral engagements with Nepal and gradually increase investments, according to Chalise.

“We will diversify the socio-economic support provided to Nepal,” Chalise quoted the emir as saying during the meeting with the President.

The Qatari side showed keen interest in increasing investment in Nepal’s hydropower sector, according to Chalise.

During the meeting, President Paudel praised Qatar’s role in maintaining global peace, particularly in the West Asia region. The emir praised the role of Nepali nationals living and working in Qatar for their contribution in building infrastructure of Qatar and for their continued work even during the Covid pandemic.

According to the Office of the President, Paudel and Al Thani discussed protecting mountains, water resources conservation and climate change.

President Paudel stressed the need for collaboration between Nepal and Qatar in order to mitigate adverse effects of climate change, protect mountains, save water resources and maintain environmental balance, according to a statement issued by the Office of the President.

“The common challenge of the present world is how to save the earth from the adverse effect of climate change, how to protect the mountains, sources of water and how to save the environment. This is the issue of human existence and particularly developing countries should be sensitive towards this issue. All the countries of this world should come together on these pressing issues,” Paudel said at the meeting, according to the statement.

Paudel expressed his concerns about the escalating conflict in the Middle East and told the emir that Nepal is in favour of peace while praising the role being played by Qatar as a peace broker, said Kiran Pokhrel, press adviser to the President.

In response, the emir said the entire world has been impacted by climate change and countries should work together to adhere to the agreements and accords to mitigate its adverse effects.

“If all countries adhere to past agreements in mitigating the adverse effect of climate change, it will give positive results and create a happier situation,” the statement issued in Nepali by the Office of the President said, quoting the emir.

The emir stated that his visit would be fruitful in exploring more avenues of cooperation, and further strengthening bilateral ties between Nepal and Qatar, said the statement issued by the office.

The emir also praised the contribution of Nepali citizens in the development of Qatar and thanked President Paudel for their efforts.

As many as 400,000 Nepalis are currently living and working in Qatar.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Dahal and Emir of Qatar will hold delegation level talks where the two sides will explore, discuss and reach some understanding in areas like hydropower, agriculture and tourism.

The prime minister and Emir Al Thani are expected to discuss several issues of bilateral interest including inviting Qatari investments in various sectors of Nepal, and renewal of labour agreement, among other things, according to officials.

The prime minister is likely to make a request for Qatari investment for a big project, either the construction of an international airport or a hydropower project, according to officials privy to the meeting’s agenda.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Paudel stated that Nepal and Qatar should work together in areas like trade, tourism, and investment, and reminded the role of Nepali migrant workers in Qatar’s prosperity.

After the delegation level talks, President Paudel hosted a state banquet in the honour of the Qatari Emir and the visiting delegation.

From the Qatari side, Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the chief of the Amiri Diwan, Jassim bin Saif Al Sultani, Minister of Transport, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Soltan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Saad bin Nasser Kabbi, Director of Studies and Research Department of Amiri Diwan, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al Thani, Chief of Asia and Africa Investments of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Yousef Sultan Laram, Director of Asian Affairs Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs are accompanying the Emir.

Similarly, Sultan Bin Ghanim Alhodaifi, chief of Emir’s private affairs office, Talal bin Almas Al Sulaiti, assistant director of the Amiri Ceremonies department and Mansour Faleh Al Hajri, personal assistant of Amir are accompanying the Qatari Emir on the visit.

Emir Al Thani arrived in Kathmandu after completing a state visit to Bangladesh leading a delegation of over 150 people, according to a security official in Kathmandu.

Besides his special private jet, three other planes carrying members of the delegation, officials, members of the business communities and security personnel also landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon.

Al Thani is scheduled to depart on Wednesday afternoon following delegation level talks with Prime Minister Dahal and a luncheon hosted by the prime minister in honour of the emir and his delegation.

Published on: 24 April 2024 | The Kathmandu Post