KATHMANDU, Mar 14 : The government is serious and cautious about the Nepali nationals in West Asian countries amid the conflict situation and operating rescue flights for many of them, Minister for Foreign Affairs Balananda Sharma said here Saturday.
There are around 3 million Nepalese presumed to be residing in different countries in the Gulf region, the government said two days ago and added, Nepal is actively engaged in carrying out rescue operations for more than 5,000 of its citizens from the region.
On Saturday, while speaking at the 12th Annual General Meeting of the Non-Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) here, Sharma said the government is committed to the safety of each and every Nepali.
The US and Israel have launched a massive joint attack on Iran since February 28. With Iran’s retaliation, the war has extended to the entire Gulf region.
The Nepal government accords top priority to the safety and welfare of the Nepalese national residing in the conflict-hit region, Sharma said, adding, an Emergency Control Room has been brought into operation to coordinate efforts regarding the safety and evacuation of the Nepalese nationals sheltered in the conflict hit-zone.
The minister also informed that rescue flights have been operated through the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Nepali missions in the respective countries to assist the Nepali nationals in case of emergencies.
The government has been serving as a link between the Nepalese nationals residing in the Gulf countries and their families in Nepal, he added.
“With the increasing geo-political challenges, the shape of the world economy has totally changed these days,” said Sharma. “The NRNA can serve as a link between Nepal and the world, which would be instrumental in strengthening the relations between Nepal and the Nepalese diaspora and for attaining economic development for the country.”
Nepal can build an economy worth USD 10 billion in a decade if there can be an integration of the economic activities of Nepalese residing abroad and at home, remarked Upendra Mahato, founder president of NRNA. (PTI)
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