Foreign Minister seeks Iran’s help for Nepali youth’s release from Hamas

KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, requesting diplomatic support for the release of Nepali youth Bipin Joshi, who remains in Hamas captivity.

During the conversation, held last night, Minister Deuba urged her Iranian counterpart to help secure Joshi’s release.

In response, Minister Araghchi assured that he would raise the issue as a priority in his upcoming meeting with Hamas officials, according to the Foreign Minister’s private secretariat.

Following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group has begun releasing hostages under its control. The Nepal government has been making continuous diplomatic efforts to secure Joshi’s release.

Last week, Minister Deuba also held talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, urging Egypt to assist in the process.

Since the beginning of ceasefire negotiations, Minister Deuba has been engaging with Qatar and Egypt, the key mediators in Hamas-Israel peace talks, seeking their intervention for Joshi’s release.

Earlier, she also discussed the matter with Israel’s Foreign Minister over a phone call.

Similarly, Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Prof. Dr. Dhan Prasad Pandit, recently appealed to the Israeli President for efforts to secure Joshi’s release.

The government has been pursuing diplomatic channels for Joshi’s freedom since last year.

Minister Deuba has also raised the issue at the United Nations and various international and regional platforms, seeking support for his release.