Kathmandu, July 25 — Nepal and Australia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including climate resilience, trade, hydropower, education, migration and investment, following the conclusion of the Third Meeting of the Nepal-Australia Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) in Kathmandu on Friday.
The meeting reviewed the full spectrum of Nepal-Australia relations and reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to translating bilateral understandings into tangible outcomes for their mutual benefit, according to a press statement issued by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Discussions centered on enhancing high-level political engagement and expanding cooperation in climate resilience, the green economy, water resource management, agricultural research and Australia’s Development Partnership Plan in alignment with Nepal’s national priorities.
The two sides also discussed expanding bilateral trade, improving air connectivity, promoting tourism and encouraging Australian investment in Nepal’s hydropower sector. They explored the establishment of a formal framework for cooperation in education and research.
Strengthening people-to-people ties featured prominently during the talks, with both sides discussing ways to leverage diaspora networks, improve migration and visa arrangements, and explore sister-city partnerships.
The delegations also exchanged views on regional and international developments, human rights, carbon trading frameworks and reciprocal support for candidacies in multilateral organizations, including the United Nations.
The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of the South and Central Asia Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The bilateral consultations followed the inaugural meeting of the Nepal-Australia Joint Trade and Investment Committee held in Kathmandu on Thursday under the Nepal-Australia Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA), signaling efforts by both governments to deepen economic engagement.
The Australian delegation included Ambassador to Nepal Simon Ernst, Regional Director for South Asia at the Department of Home Affairs Steven Biddle, Head of the Australian Defence Staff Brigadier Damian Hill, and senior officials from DFAT and the Australian diplomatic missions in Nepal and India.
The Nepali delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the ministries of finance, agriculture, industry, home affairs, education, and the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat.
