KATHMANDU — The government of Nepal and the Russian Federation concluded high-level bilateral consultations in Kathmandu today, reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation while directly addressing pressing concerns regarding Nepali nationals serving in the Russian military.
Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the talks were co-chaired by Nepal’s Foreign Secretary, Amrit Bahadur Rai, and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrey Rudenko.
Focus on Nepali Soldiers and POWs
Crucial on the consultation agenda was the situation surrounding Nepali citizens fighting in the Russian Army. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, the delegation addressed several critical security and humanitarian issues, including:
- The status of missing Nepali nationals in the conflict.
- Nepali nationals currently detained in Ukraine as Prisoners of War (POWs).
- Matters regarding financial compensation for victims and their families.
Strengthening Broader Partnership
Beyond security matters, both delegations exchanged briefings on their respective domestic political and economic developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration across key operational areas:
- Education and human resource development
- Culture and tourism
- Trade, investment, and climate change
- Multilateral coordination within global platforms
