Kathmandu: The Israel embassy in close cooperation with the Nepal-Israel Friendship Association organized Monday a grand function to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of the diplomatic relation between Nepal and Israel.
A contingent of intellectuals, diplomats, businessmen, media men, lawyers, and social workers graced the function held at the Birendra International Convention Center.
Welcoming the attending guests, the chairman of the Friendship Association Pashupati Giri expressed his profound gratitude to the State of Israel for extending valuable support to the Kingdom of Nepal for the development of the latter’s basic infrastructures. He also hoped that bilateral ties would expand to the mutual benefits.
The newly accredited Israel Ambassador, Abraham Nir in his speech lauded the courage of the then Nepal government and its leader B.P.Koirala for having established diplomatic relations with his country against all the existing odds.
To recall, Nepal became the first country in South Asia in the 1960s to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. It was considered to be a daring move on the part of Nepal because her neighbors till then had kept themselves at a distance with Israel for obvious reasons.
“‘At present my country has diplomatic relations with more than hundred countries of the globe including those countries which preferred to keep a distance with Israel in the 60s”, proudly declared the Israeli envoy.
Talking on Nepal-Israel ties, Ambassador Nir said that the existing friendly relations needed a real boost to strengthen it in all the possible levels of government, parliament and the private sector as well.
“I will do my utmost during my tenure in Nepal to bring out people closer to encourage them to engage with each other in all fields from commerce, trade to academy and culture”, continued the Ambassador.
In this regard, said the Israeli diplomat, “‘I will need your support, the support of the Nepali government and of the people as well”.
The State of Israel has extended its help to Nepal in sectors such as agriculture, education, medicine, water projects, paratrooper training and etc.
A rough estimate reveals that some ten thousand Israeli tourists visit Nepal annually.
The chief guest of the function, Prime Minister Koirala hoped that Nepal-Israel ties will attain new heights in the future.
He also thanked the State of Israel for supporting Nepal in various developmental sectors.
The State of Israel awarded Mr. Kiran Sharma, a Nepali national, a certificate of merit for his outstanding service rendered to promote Nepal-Israel ties. Mr. Sharma has been serving at the Israel embassy since the establishment of Nepal-Israel diplomatic relations.
Telegraph adds: An Israeli exhibition entitled “Drawings of Jerusalem” by Yossi Chitrit was also displayed at the auditorium.