Australian foreign minister holds talks with FM Khanal, pledges AUD 15m flood aid
KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Melbourne, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
According to a ministry press release, the two ministers reviewed the overall state of Nepal-Australia relations and exchanged views on a wide range of mutual interests. They expressed satisfaction with close, longstanding and cordial ties underpinned by shared democratic values, mutual respect and strong people‑to‑people links.
Wong conveyed her condolences to families and communities affected by recent floods in Nepal and reaffirmed Australia’s support for the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. She announced an additional AUD 15 million in Australian assistance for relief and early recovery, supplementing a previous AUD 11 million commitment for emergency response.
Khanal thanked the Government and people of Australia for their prompt humanitarian assistance, saying the support reflected enduring goodwill between the two countries.
On climate issues, Khanal urged Australia to highlight the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, noting Australia’s COP31 co‑presidency. He called for deeper bilateral cooperation on climate adaptation, early warning systems, disaster preparedness and climate‑resilient infrastructure.
The ministers discussed ways to deepen educational cooperation, including proposals for Australian‑accredited technical and vocational education and training institutes. Khanal emphasised the contributions of Nepali students and the diaspora to Australia’s multicultural society and economy, and sought favourable consideration for Nepali students under recent student visa policy changes.
They also explored measures to strengthen trade and foreign direct investment, technology transfer, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism promotion, labour mobility and the establishment of direct air links between Nepal and Australia.
Wong reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to strengthen its partnership with Nepal and welcomed continued collaboration across priority sectors. The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to maintain regular high‑level exchanges and to work to turn the understandings reached into tangible outcomes for the benefit of both peoples.
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