Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli requested Egyptian support for the release of Bipin Joshi, held by Hamas since October 7. President Al-Sisi assured efforts to prioritize hostages’ release. The leaders also discussed the upcoming Sagarmatha Sambad, focusing on climate change collaboration.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of Nepal engaged in a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, requesting assistance for the release of Bipin Joshi, who has been a hostage of Hamas militants since October 7, 2023. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Prime Minister Oli acknowledged Egypt’s role in mediating the recent Gaza ceasefire and urged Al-Sisi to continue his diplomatic efforts for Joshi’s release.
President Al-Sisi responded, assuring that Egypt would prioritize the release of all remaining hostages, including Joshi, during the second phase of the hostage exchange negotiations. The circumstances of Joshi, a Nepali citizen who was abducted while participating in a “Learn and Earn” program in Israel, remain uncertain. He was taken captive from Alumim Kibbutz amidst a wave of abductions that included a total of 251 individuals by Hamas.
Meanwhile, President Al-Sisi expressed support for Nepal’s initiative to host the Sagarmatha Sambad, an international dialogue on climate change and sustainability scheduled for May 16-18 in Kathmandu. Prime Minister Oli extended an invitation to Al-Sisi to participate in this forum, which aims to gather approximately 160-200 foreign delegates, including various global leaders and experts, to discuss significant environmental issues concerning climate change and mountains.
The dialogue’s theme, “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” emphasizes the necessity of international collaboration to tackle climate challenges. The prime minister expressed optimism that Egypt’s involvement would greatly enhance the value of the discussions. Furthermore, the two leaders also addressed various matters concerning bilateral relations, including multilateral cooperation and future high-level visits.
In summary, Prime Minister Oli of Nepal has urgently sought Egypt’s assistance in securing the release of Bipin Joshi from Hamas captivity. The Egyptian president assured prioritization of hostages’ release during ongoing negotiations. In addition, both leaders discussed Nepal’s upcoming climate dialogue, Sagarmatha Sambad, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. This engagement illustrates Nepal’s commitment to fostering diplomatic relations and addressing global issues collaboratively.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
