KATHMANDU: The Ambassadors Club Nepal hosted a reception in honour of a visiting Omani delegation, highlighting longstanding friendship and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Nepal and Oman.
The delegation was led by Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali al Harthi, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, and included Ambassador Shaikh Abdulaziz al Hosni, Head of the Asia and Pacific Department at the ministry, and Issa bin Saleh al Shibani, Oman’s Ambassador to Nepal.
Ambassadors Club Nepal President Dr Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal and Bimal Dhakal welcomed the delegation at the club’s premises in Kathmandu.
Dr Sarmila congratulated both sides on convening the second meeting of the Nepal-Oman Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, describing it as an important platform for sustained dialogue and closer engagement.
Recalling her appointment as Nepal’s first ambassador to Oman in 2017, she reflected on her tenure and the friendships forged during her service. She also recalled signing the memorandum of understanding establishing the bilateral consultation mechanism on behalf of Nepal.
Dr Sarmila welcomed Ambassador Al Shibani as an honorary member of the Ambassadors Club Nepal and highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in tourism, trade, investment, education, skills development, technology, renewable energy, culture and research.
She also expressed hope that the establishment of a resident Omani embassy in Kathmandu would further strengthen bilateral relations and people-to-people exchanges.
Al Harthi thanked the hosts for their hospitality and referred to the forthcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Oman, expressing a desire to mark the milestone through a meaningful initiative reflecting the friendship between the two countries.
He paid tribute to Dr Sarmila’s contributions during her tenure in Oman, noting the lasting relationships she had built and her engagement with Omani society. He also congratulated her on establishing the Ambassadors Club Nepal and acknowledged the work of her successor, Ambassador Dornath Aryal.
The reception underscored the role of diplomatic engagement, mutual understanding and people-to-people connections in strengthening relations between Nepal and Oman.
