Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba met her Canadian counterpart, Mélanie Joly, for bilateral discussions in Ottawa, Canada, on Wednesday.
The talks centered on enhancing Nepal-Canada relations, mutual interests, and promoting investment and partnerships.
According to a press release from the Embassy of Nepal in Ottawa, Minister Rana expressed gratitude for Canada’s support in Nepal’s democratic journey and the drafting of its current constitution. She highlighted the recent passage of transitional justice laws by Nepal’s parliament, which will help finalize the peace process.
Rana thanked Canada for its assistance during challenging times, including the earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for its contributions to Nepal’s socio-economic development. She urged Canada to establish an embassy in Nepal, emphasizing the strategic advantages for Canada in having a presence in a democratic nation between China and India.
Minister Rana also advocated for increased Canadian trade and investment, noting that Nepal, a least developed country on track to graduate to developing country status by 2026, enjoys duty-free access to Canadian markets. She encouraged Canadian investments in Nepal’s water resources sector, leveraging Canada’s expertise.
The ministers acknowledged shared perspectives on various international issues and cooperation in UN peacekeeping missions, as well as efforts to address climate change and achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Minister Rana noted that 2,554 Nepali women peacekeepers have served globally, with 608 currently active in UN missions. She invited Minister Joly to visit Nepal.
They agreed to hold further bilateral talks in Kathmandu this December, aiming to establish cooperation in tourism and education. They also committed to collaborating on Canada’s “feminist foreign policy” and continuing support for women’s empowerment in Nepal.
Minister Joly expressed Canada’s willingness to assist Nepal through the Canadian Pension Fund and responded positively to the proposal of opening a Canadian embassy in Nepal.
