KATHMANDU, Nepal: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said there existed huge potential to translate the existing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Nepal into a “dynamic partnership” in diverse fields.
In a meeting with President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari in Kathmandu, the prime minister said Pakistan attached great importance to Nepal and desired to strengthen relations at the levels of the two governments and their peoples.
The meeting held at Sheetal Niwas – the official presidential palace of Nepal located in Maharajganj – discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in diverse fields including economy, tourism and culture.
Congratulating President Bidhya Devi on successful completion of democratic process in the Country, the prime minister said smooth transition would prove a positive step towards political stability and development. He termed these developments a big milestone in Nepal’s march towards democracy, political stability and economic development.
The prime minister said Pakistan greatly admired the resilience of the people of Nepal who had experienced a terrible earthquake and floods. He said Pakistan always stood by its Nepalese friends and remained committed to providing educational and humanitarian assistance to Nepal.
Khaqan Abbasi stressed the need to enhance Pak-Nepal economic relations and bilateral trade which stood US$ 5.78 million in 2016-17.
Moreover, the prime minister wished President Bidhya Devi her re-election and invited her to visit Pakistan at her convenience.
The two leaders also expressed satisfaction over the cooperation between the two Countries at international fora. The need to reinvigorate South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as an important forum for regional prosperity also came under discussion.
President Bidhya Devi lauded the economic progress made by Pakistan in recent years, and said the exemplary development in the Country was admirable.
Senior government officials of Nepal and Pakistan’s ambassador to Nepal Mazhar Javed attended the meeting.
