Russia’s support notable in Nepal’s development: Foreign Affairs Minister

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that Russia has provided much support in the development of Nepal.

While inaugurating the 57th anniversary of Mitrakunj, the alumni association of Nepalese who studied in the former Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the sixth national conference of Asian nations today, he said that Russia has always supported Nepal for its economic development.

“Russia has been providing important support and assistance in the fields of economic development, education, science, technology and infrastructure of Nepal; this is a matter of pride for the country,” he said. Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha expressed his belief that since there is an age-old relationship between Nepal and Russia, such alumni will help to further deepen these ties.

Foreign Affairs Minister Shrestha was of the view that the war between Russia and Ukraine should be resolved through dialogue. He also urged everyone to use the skills learned in Russia for the development of Nepal.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal, Aleksei Novikov, expressed his belief that such programmes will help to strengthen the bilateral relations between Russia and Nepal. “Mitrakunj has advanced the friendship between Russia and Nepal,” he said.

Nilambar Acharya, founding president of Mitrakunj, said that the alumnae have acted as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries as well as the relationship between the two countries. Mahesh Prasad Pandey, president of Mitrakunj informed that since 1967 Mitrakunj has been moving forward as a common organization of students who have studied in various countries under the former Soviet Union from Nepal.

President Pandey says that although Mitrakunj currently has 1,200 members, there are more than 7,000 students from Nepal who have gone to study under Russia and the former Soviet Union. Mitrakunj vice president Keshavraj Bista informed that nine representatives from Russia, one from Pakistan, four from Mongolia, one from India, seven from China, 32 from Bangladesh, 150 from Nepal, and one from Venin participated in the three-day conference.

Kishor Chapagain, Hospitality Head of Mitrakunj Conference, said that Mitrakunj is working for the development of Nepal and expansion of international relations. On this occasion, a souvenir published by Mitrakunj was also released.