Kathmandu, March 18: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba met with Ricky Gill, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US National Security Council, in New Delhi, India.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue 2025, organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussion covered a wide range of topics, including strengthening Nepal-US relations, which are built on shared democratic values and human rights.
During the meeting, Dr. Rana urged Gill to facilitate the release and repatriation of Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi, who is believed to be held captive by Hamas. She expressed confidence that Nepal-US cooperation would continue to grow and reiterated her previous appeals to the US government for Joshi’s release. She also noted that Nepal has sought assistance from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and other nations.
Joshi was among those abducted during the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, an attack that resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand people, including 10 Nepali nationals. Since then, the Government of Nepal has actively pursued diplomatic efforts for his release.
Dr. Rana has consistently raised the issue at national and international forums, including the United Nations, and through bilateral meetings, emphasizing Nepal’s commitment to securing Joshi’s safe return.
Foreign Minister Dr Rana meets with Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi
Likewise, Minister Dr Rana met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi, in New Delhi today on the sidelines of the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed consolidating Nepal-Moldova relations and expanding bilateral cooperation, according to Minister Rana’s Private Secretariat.
Dr Rana highlighted the adverse effects of climate change on Nepal, emphasising collaborative efforts to tackle the problem. She also briefed on Nepal’s progress toward graduating from a least developed country to a developing nation by 2026 and sought Moldava’s support in this regard.
Additionally, she sought Moldova’s support in Nepal’s candidacy for membership of the United Nations Security Council. The two leaders also discussed expanding joint investment programmes in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and hydropower.
Dr Rana expressed her confidence that Popsoi’s upcoming visit to Nepal this week would further strengthen bilateral relations, and find new ways of cooperation. #nepal #usa #RaisinaDialogue #BipinJoshi #moldova
