Ambassador of Nepal paid an introductory call on the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both discussed several issues to enhance bilateral relations between Thailand and Nepal, including trade, investment and tourism as well as cooperation under BIMSTEC.

On 11 January 2021, His Excellency Mr. Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Ambassador of Nepal, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the close and cordial ties between the two countries and the progress made since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1959. They noted that the close ties between the people of the two countries are deeply rooted in Buddhism.

Both expressed their strong commitment to working closely together to enhance ties in areas of mutual interest such as trade, investment and tourism, as well as exchange of high-level visits. The Permanent Secretary also expressed the readiness of Thailand to provide technical and educational assistance through Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA). To this end, both sides agreed to work on the resumption of the 5th Thailand-Nepal Joint Commission Meeting.

 The Permanent Secretary also expressed appreciation to the Nepali Ambassador and Government of Nepal in facilitating repatriation flights for the Thai nationals stranded in Nepal due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ambassador of Nepal commended the success of the Thai Government in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and expressed confidence that Thailand will successfully contain the new wave of COVID-19 infections. They expressed solidarity in overcoming pandemic together.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the regional forums particularly the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and look forward to Thailand’s BIMSTEC Chairmanship in 2021.

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