MoFA unveils 100-day report on diplomatic activity, citizen rescues

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Saturday unveiled a 100-day progress report highlighting diplomatic activity, large-scale citizen rescues and a formal request to delay the country’s scheduled graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category.

According to the report, the government has asked the United Nations to postpone Nepal’s graduation from November 2026 to November 2029, citing economic vulnerabilities linked to global supply-chain disruptions and regional conflicts. The MoFA said post-pandemic recovery remains fragile, projected economic growth is low and there is a risk of job losses in the manufacturing sector, factors that underpinned the request.

On citizen welfare, the ministry reported the repatriation of 819 Nepalis who had fallen victim to online scam networks in Southeast Asia. A further 1,047 citizens were evacuated from West Asia amid regional tensions. Diplomatic efforts also secured amnesty for 128 Nepali detainees in the United Arab Emirates and 33 in Saudi Arabia.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, made official visits to India and China in June to strengthen economic cooperation, trade and regional stability. Following talks in India, earlier obstacles to Nepali tea exports were resolved. The MoFA also intervened to resolve a crisis affecting 2,000 Nepalis in Portugal who had been unable to obtain temporary residence permits after police clearance certificates bore forged consular stamps.

In a move towards greater transparency, ambassadorial appointments were opened to public application for the first time, attracting about 3,000 applicants. Domestically, the ministry launched the 'MOFA Mitra' application to streamline consular services for citizens overseas and announced a new passport system due to go live on July 14, 2026.

Overseas missions have been instructed to curb informal Hundi remittance channels and encourage the use of formal banking systems, the report added.