Vietnam - Nepal: will continue to develop substantially, effectively and sustainably

On May 15, 1975, Vietnam and Nepal officially established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in the friendly relations between the two countries. Over the past 50 years, Vietnam - Nepal relations have continued to be strengthened and developed positively in many fields...

Vietnam and Nepal have many similarities in customs and historical development. During the years of resistance against the US to save the country, the Nepalese people showed deep solidarity and supported Vietnam's just struggle for independence and national unification. The Nepalese parliament once passed a resolution condemning the US bombing of North Vietnam and supporting the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam to become a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

After establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries maintained effective coordination and mutual support in international and regional forums.

Vietnam-Nepal trade relations have developed positively. Vietnam exports to Nepal items such as pepper, plastics, bottled drinking water, etc. and imports textiles, footwear, food, and handicrafts from Nepal.

According to data from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs , in the 2012-2017 period, two-way trade increased by 400% (from 9.35 million USD to 47 million USD), although the scale is still modest.

Cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, culture, science and technology, tourism and delegation exchanges is still limited and not commensurate with its potential.

Although there have been few high-level visits, the two sides have maintained cooperation through party channels and delegation exchanges at ministerial and local levels. Nepal recognized Vietnam as a market economy (October 2014), supported Vietnam's candidacy for the Human Rights Council (November 2013), ECOSOC (2016-2018) and non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (2020-2021). Vietnam also supported Nepal's candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council (2018-2020).

An important milestone was the official visit to Vietnam by Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli in May 2019. This was the first visit by a senior Nepalese leader since 1975. The two sides agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, culture, especially tourism - encouraging Vietnamese tourists to visit Lumbini, Nepal's Everest region and Nepalese tourists to visit famous tourist attractions in Vietnam.

On this occasion, the two sides signed an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders; an agreement on establishing a bilateral consultation mechanism between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and a letter of intent on a trade and investment cooperation agreement between Vietnam and Nepal. The Prime Minister of Nepal also attended the 2019 United Nations Day of Vesak in Vietnam.

The opening of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Nepal and the establishment of the General Association of Vietnamese in India and Nepal on October 23, 2016 are positive steps, creating a foundation to promote cooperation in many fields. The Nepalese side expressed its desire for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Nepal, especially in the fields of hydropower, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture. At the same time, Nepal proposed to open a direct flight between the two countries and soon sign a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

In May 2023, a delegation of the Vietnam - Nepal Friendship Association led by Dr. Tran Anh Tuan, President of the Association, visited Nepal and met with the President of the Nepalese Parliament Ganesh Prasad Timilsina. Mr. Ganesh Prasad Timilsina assessed that Vietnam is not only a source of inspiration in the struggle for national independence and unification but also a typical example in socio-economic development and poverty reduction. He suggested that the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations; open embassies of the two countries in Vietnam and Nepal; open direct flights between Vietnam and Nepal so that Buddhists and people of Vietnam as well as Nepal have the opportunity to visit each other's countries, creating a foundation for enhancing cooperation in all fields between the two sides.

Speaker of the Nepalese Parliament Ganesh Prasad Timilsina (fifth from right) takes a souvenir photo with the delegation of the Vietnam - Nepal Friendship Association, May 8, 2023. (Photo: Duc Minh)

The President of the Nepalese National Assembly hopes that the Vietnam - Nepal Friendship Association will play a role as a bridge between organizations, businesses and individuals of the two countries. The establishment of the Association is considered an important foundation to promote friendship and understanding between the two peoples.

According to VNA correspondent in South Asia, at the invitation of Nepalese Finance Minister Barsa Man Pun, Vietnamese Ambassador to India, Nepal and Bhutan Nguyen Thanh Hai attended the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit held in Kathmandu from April 28-29. At the event, Nepalese Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav highly appreciated the role of the Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Association and the Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Parliamentarians' Group in promoting people-to-people exchange, parliamentary diplomacy and friendly relations between the two countries.

In December 2023, a delegation of the Nepal Peace and Solidarity Council (NPSC) led by Mr. Rabindra Adhikari, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), Chairman of the Nepal Peace and Solidarity Council visited and worked in Vietnam. During the meeting with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the two sides agreed to continue exchanging information; discuss specific cooperation plans and activities to enhance people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Nepal.

To continue developing the Vietnam - Nepal friendship, in my opinion, we need to focus on a number of contents: Strengthening information on the situation and potential for bilateral cooperation in areas where both sides have strengths through conferences, seminars, and international talks on bilateral relations... Promoting delegation exchanges at all levels; implementing exchange programs for students, interns, and postgraduates. Organizing exhibitions on economics, trade, tourism, and services between the two countries. Supporting the opening of a direct flight route Hanoi - Kathmandu - Ho Chi Minh City to promote investment, trade, and tourism. Promoting the establishment of embassies in each country's capital.

With the foundation of 50 years of friendship, determination and efforts from both sides, the Vietnam - Nepal relationship promises to continue to develop more practically, effectively and sustainably in the coming time.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-nepal-se-tiep-tuc-phat-trien-thuc-chat-hieu-qua-va-ben-vung-213230.html