NRNA Delegation Meets Foreign Minister Khanal to Discuss Diaspora Rights and Investment

Kathmandu. A delegation led by Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) President Dr. Hemraj Sharma met with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal. During the meeting at the ministry, the delegation congratulated Minister Khanal and requested facilitation for various issues concerning Nepalis living abroad.

President Dr. Hemraj Sharma praised the contributions of the diaspora and emphasized that the government should take initiatives to ensure their rights and facilities.

President Sharma stated, 'Nepalis abroad have the capacity to contribute their experience, knowledge, and capital to Nepal's development, and facilitation is necessary for this.' He drew the government's attention to the full implementation of non-resident Nepali citizenship and the advancement of related legal and constitutional initiatives.

He emphasized the effective implementation of rights related to immigration, property, banking, vehicles, national identity cards, and voting. Additionally, he requested an increase in embassy personnel, the establishment of new embassies, and the creation of a legal aid system to assist Nepalis in distress abroad. President Sharma expressed a firm commitment to collaborate with the government for Nepal's development and the welfare of the diaspora.

NRNA founding president Dr. Upendra Mahato mentioned that Nepalis abroad can support and collaborate with the current government's objectives of good governance, anti-corruption, and building a prosperous Nepal.
President Mahato said, 'While the government can work easily on good governance and corruption control with its own resources, large investments, knowledge, skills, and technology are required to build a prosperous Nepal, making the experience, knowledge, and contribution of the Nepali community abroad extremely important.'

He further added, "Nepalis abroad have always worked with the dream of making Nepal prosperous in their hearts. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is our relevant ministry, we have understood our responsibilities and have come to this meeting to express our commitment to help make Nepal prosperous." President Mahato emphasized the need to connect the common voice and unity of Nepalis in 90 countries to Nepal's development campaign.

In the meeting, Minister Khanal praised the contributions of the diaspora and emphasized policy reforms, investment expansion, and institutional collaboration in the coming days. Minister Khanal expressed gratitude for the significant role played by Nepalis abroad in the recently concluded elections.

'It is clearly established in our leadership that Nepalis abroad have a major contribution to the changes that have taken place in the country this time,' he said. Noting the important role of the diaspora in economic prosperity, he urged them to focus on large investment projects.

'Collaboration is needed in large projects that transform the country rather than small investments,' he said. Pointing out the need for institutional initiatives in the service sector, Minister Khanal proposed establishing a fund to organize support for bringing home the bodies of Nepalis who die abroad.

Minister Khanal mentioned the various agendas raised by the NRNA as significant achievements and emphasized the need to implement them. Regarding citizenship, he mentioned that while he is clearly positive, further study and necessary legal amendments may be required due to some legal complexities.

He also informed that the ministry is taking initiatives on humanitarian grounds regarding the problems of Nepalis in Portugal. He stated that despite technical difficulties, dialogue is ongoing with the relevant country to find a solution from a humanitarian perspective.

Acknowledging the limited resources of the ministry in providing services to Nepalis abroad, he noted that NRNA officials raised issues regarding citizenship, investment, labor migration, and the security of Nepalis abroad. Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation and coordination in the coming days.

Invitation to Foreign Minister as Chief Guest at European Conference

On the same occasion, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal was formally invited as the chief guest to the 17th Europe Regional Conference being organized by the NRNA Europe Regional Committee in Dublin, Ireland, on 22-23 June 2026.