Govt has prioritised safety of Nepalis in conflict zones: FM Rana

KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has said the government has prioritised the safety of Nepalis in areas affected by the Israel–Iran conflict and is taking potential impacts seriously.

Responding to MPs’ questions during the appropriation bill discussion at Monday’s House of Representatives meeting, she said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued travel-related information with detailed contact details on June 15, requesting Nepalis currently in Israel and Iran to exercise maximum caution for their safety.”

She added that Nepali ambassadors in both countries have been instructed to co-ordinate for the welfare of Nepali citizens. An online portal launched on June 17 to collect details of Nepali citizens had registered 885 individuals so far, and registrations were rising.

On June 18, all Nepali missions in the Gulf states were instructed to facilitate online visas and other assistance for Nepalis wishing to travel to safe locations or neighbouring countries, in light of suspended air routes, the foreign minister stated.

She noted that on June 19, 2025 the Jordanian government had documented the need to provide necessary assistance to foreign nationals arriving on its borders from Israel. The Nepali embassy had communicated with the ILO and the IOM regarding facilitation in this matter.

Minister Rana informed the Lower House that a request to rescue 16 Nepalis in Iran had been made to the Indian government, and, with assistance from the Indian embassy in Tehran, the process to repatriate 11 of them was under way. The remaining five were detained under Iranian immigration laws, and the ministry was working through the Nepali embassy in Doha to complete their return documentation. She said efforts were also under way to rescue and repatriate Nepalis from Israel and Iran through coordination with relevant bodies and the formation of a rapid-response group.

The foreign minister added that the Nepali government had pursued diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels for the release of Bipin Joshi since the outset.

Minister Rana said Nepal had adopted economic diplomacy as a major tool of its foreign policy, and missions abroad were being encouraged to engage in trade, foreign investment, tourism and technology provision. Efforts were also under way from diplomatic missions to promote cultural and tourism diplomacy, and the ministry was working to ensure the sustainability of Nepal’s graduation from least developed country status to a middle-income developing country, scheduled for 2026.

She asserted that ambassadorial appointments were proceeding under existing rules and that, in the deputation of labour attachés, the MoFA followed recommendations from the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

The minister said the number of missions and foreign-service personnel had increased following the MoFA’s organisation and management survey. In addition to these measures, digital archiving and data management were among the MoFA’s priorities.

The total budget allocation for the MoFA in fiscal year 2025/26 has increased slightly compared with the previous year; however, the budget for all headings except capital expenditure has decreased.

According to Minister Rana, the current fiscal year revenue of Rs 8.10 billion had been collected while total expenditure amounted to Rs 6.78 billion. “Capital expenditure accounted for 50.09%,” she said.

The MoFA remains highly vigilant in preventing any issues that could affect national security and interests. In line with its foreign policy, the MoFA is committed to ensuring that Nepali territory is not used against any neighbouring country, Minister Rana added.

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