Qatari King wraps up his Nepal visit, returns home, President bid farewell (with photos)

KATHMANDU: The King of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has returned home.

Wrapping up his two-day state visit to Nepal, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar departed for home on Wednesday afternoon.

President Ram Chandra Poudel reached Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to bid farewell to him.

On that occasion, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghuvir Mahaseth, Minister of Energy, Hydropower, and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang, Chief Secretary Vaikuntha Aryal, among others, were present.

During the farewell of the Emir of Qatar, a contingent of the Nepalese army rendered honors with a 21-gun salute.

The Emir’s visit, initiated at the invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel, saw notable diplomatic engagements and the signing of eight bilateral agreements between Qatar and Nepal.

On the same day, the Emir of Qatar met with President Paudel at the Presidential Office Sheetal Niwas in the evening.

Following the meeting, President Paudel hosted a state banquet in his honor later in the evening.

During his time in Nepal, Emir Al Thani met with President Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, emphasizing the commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

Today there was a discussion between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and a delegation including Emir Tamim on behalf of Qatar.

Among the significant agreements were bilateral support deals between Nepal and Qatar News Agency, as well as agreements between the Office of the Attorney General and the Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, agreements promoting educational and cultural exchanges were signed, along with two agreements between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Emir Al Thani’s visit signifies a significant step forward in deepening the bond between Nepal and Qatar.

Notably, it marks the first high-level delegation from the Gulf region to visit Nepal.

The productive discussions and agreements reached during Emir Al Thani’s visit are expected to further enhance cooperation and friendship between the two nations.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Qatar on Jan 21, 1977, this marks the Emir of Qatar’s inaugural visit to Nepal.

Nepal opened its embassy in Doha on July 11, 2000, whereas Qatar inaugurated its embassy in Kathmandu in August 2011.