Israel–Nepal relations

Israel-Nepal relations, first established in 1960, are the relations between Israel and Nepal. [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2007/Visit++of+Nepalese+Minister+for+Foreign+Affairs+12-Jul-2007.htm Visit to Israel of Honorable Mrs. Sahana Pradhan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal] Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal from 1959 to 1960, had a strongly pro-Israel foreign policy. King Mahendra visited Israel in 1963 and maintained Koirala's special relationship.Abadi, Jacob. "Israel's Quest for Recognition and Acceptance in Asia: Garrison State Diplomacy", 2004. Page 318.]

Pradhan visit

Sahana Pradhan, the Foreign Minister of Nepal, visited Israel and met with Tzipi Livni, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Shimon Peres, and Aaron Abramovich, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on July 12, 2007, the first time the Nepalese Foreign Minister has visited. Pradhan announced Nepal will soon open an embassy in Israel.

Political

Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel were established on 1 June 1960. Israel opened her Embassy in Kathmandu in March 1961. The Nepalese Ambassador to Egypt is concurrently accredited to Israel. Nepal also opened the Nepalese Honorary Consulate General in Israel in 1993.

Until recently Nepal was the only country in South Asia to recognize the existence of Israel and has maintained diplomatic relations. Nepal continues to support the right of Israel to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. Nepal voted in favour of Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which upheld the right of all the states in the region to live in peace. Nepal has also welcomed every initiative from whatever quarter that seeks to resolve the Middle East problems like the Camp David Accord signed between Egypt sand Israel in 1978 and the renewed peace process sponsored time to time by countries like the USA.

In 1975, the United Nations General Assembly passed an Arab sponsored resolution (3379) that equated Zionism and racism and racial discrimination. Nepal expressed its reservation throughout the discussions on the issue and did not support the resolution. In the context of renewed peace in West Asia, the United States took the initiatives to introduce a draft resolution to repeal the resolution 3379 of 1975 in the 46th Session of the UNGA. A large majority adopted the draft resolution. Nepal voted in favour of the resolution. Israel, USA and the Western Countries appreciated Nepal's support for the resolution.

Bilateral Visits

The exchange of bilateral visits at various levels including at the highest one and the foresight shown by our leaders have immensely helped promote and nurture the relations between Nepal and Israel.

Late Prime Minister Mr. BP Koirala paid an Official Visit to Israel in 1960, which was very important in the context that many countries outlawed Israel.

His Late Majesty King Mahendra paid a State Visit to Israel in September 1963, which was returned by Late Israeli President Zalman Shazar's Official Visit to Nepal later.

In 1968, His Late Majesty King Birendra, then Crown Prince, paid a two-week study visit to Israel.

Then Foreign Minister of Israel late Moshe Dayan visited Nepal in April 1979.

The Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana paid an Official Visit to Israel in January 1992 at the invitation of the Speaker of the Knesset.

Former Prime Minister Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala paid an Official Visit to Israel on 23-25 June 1993.

Then Minister of Agriculture and Local Development Mr. Ram Chandra Paudel paid an Official Visit to Israel on 17-21 November 1993.

Mr. Hasta Bahadur Malla, then Assistant Minister of Education visited Israel to participate in the Jerusalem International Conference of Ministers of Education on January 8-11, 1996.

Mr. Jhala Nath Khanal, then Minister of Communications paid an official visit to Israel on September 16-22, 1997 at the invitation of the Minister of Communication of Israel.

Nepal welcomed the historic accord signed between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organization on 13 September 1993 in Washington, DC, on autonomy for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank Town of Jericho and also the agreement signed on 10 September 1993 on mutual recognition to each other. Former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala sent letters of appreciation to HE (late) Mr. Yitzhak Robin, Prime Minister of Israel and HE (Late) Mr. Yasser Arafat, President and PLO Chairman, for this courageous decision taken by them and expressed hope that this would be instrumental in establishing peace, order and stability in West Asia.

Nepal welcomes the landmark ceasefire announced after a summit held between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Leader Mahmud Abbas in Egypt on February 8, 2005 to end four years of bloodshed.

Economic Cooperation

Israel extended valuable cooperation to Nepal in various developmental fields including establishment of the National Construction Company of Nepal and training facilities for the Royal Nepalese Army personnel in parachuting.

Israel has been providing Nepal with short-term scholarships in various subjects particularly in the areas of agriculture, education, rural development, water resources, tourism, etc. Similarly, the Israeli experts in Nepal on farm management, artificial insemination, irrigation, childhood education, workers, and cooperative biotechnology and farm machinery conducted seven on-the-spot courses.

Israel is becoming one of the destinations for Nepalese youths to seek employment. There is already number of Nepalese youths working in Israel and number is increasing day by day.

A Protocol of Cooperation was signed between the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries and Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in Tel Aviv on 25 June 1993 during the official visit of then Prime Minister Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala to Israel.

The trade between Nepal and Israel has remained in favour of Israel. Nepal exported items amounted to Rs 3,175,682 and imported amounted Rs 483,695,044, having trade deficit of Rs 480, 519,362 in fiscal year 2003/04 according to the Trade Promotion Center.

Government of Nepal and the Israeli Government signed a bilateral Air Service Agreement (ASA) on November 18th, 2002.

References