Kathmandu: The Russian House celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Nepal with a gala reception on July 20. The gala reception included a photo exhibition, greetings from the foreign ministers of both countries, and warm words about decades of friendship between the peoples of two countries.
The celebration opened with the inauguration of a historical photo exhibition, “Russia–Nepal: 70 Years of Friendship and Cooperation”, through the traditional lighting of the Panas.
The evening’s guests of honour included Hon. Barsaman Pun, Member of Parliament and Coordinator of the Nepal–Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group and former Minister; H.E. Aleksei Vladimirovich Surovtsev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal; Anastasia Khokhlova, Director of the Russian House in Kathmandu; and leaders of Nepal’s Russia-friendship organisations – Achutananda Bhandari, Ganesh Shah, Krishna Prasad Bhandari, Ram Bindu Shrestha, Prof. Buland Thapa, Bishnu Bahadur Singh, Diwas Amatey, Navaraj Budhathoki, and Swaraj Shakya, Secretary General of the Nepal-Russia Friendship and Cultural Association.
Following the national anthems of Russia and Nepal, welcoming remarks were delivered. Congratulatory messages were read out from Nepal’s Hon. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who sent a diplomatic telegram to his Nepali counterpart.
Addressing the audience, Ambassador Surovtsev recalled the meeting between the two countries’ leaders on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin in September 2025, and thanked the many Russian and Nepali public organisations that serve as the backbone of bilateral cooperation. Reflecting warmly on the Soviet-era legacy, he shared: “To this day, when we receive letters addressed to the Embassy, we often see people write ‘comrades.’ We feel a special, warm attitude from the Nepali people toward us, and we understand this largely echoes the assistance the Soviet Union once provided. We are sincerely grateful to the people of Nepal for this memory. This friendship, tested by decades, serves as the solid foundation on which we intend to build a new, modern framework for our cooperation”.
Russian House Director Anastasia Khokhlova recalled the thousands of Nepali graduates of Soviet and Russian universities who became a vital link between Moscow and Kathmandu, and noted that the Russian House has remained the flagship of Russia’s humanitarian policy in the country for over 40 years. She added:
“Today, Russian and Nepalese scholars continue the work of the outstanding Nepalese scholar Krishna Prakash Shrestha, translating contemporary works and writing articles to bring Russia closer to Nepalese youth, and Nepal closer to Russia. Modern Nepal is a reliable partner of Russia, sharing the principles of a just and multipolar world. I am confident that the accumulated experience of joint work will allow us to develop trade and economic cooperation, attract more Nepalese youth to study at Russian universities, and expand cultural exchange programs”.
In recognition of his contribution, the Russian House presented a Letter of Appreciation to Swaraj Shakya, General Secretary of the Nepal–Russia Friendship and Cultural Association, while the Association itself received a “Token of Love” in appreciation of its continued efforts to advance bilateral friendship.
The evening continued with remarks from representatives of Nepal’s Russia-Science Society, the Mitra Kunj Alumni Association, the Friends of RUDN Society, the Nepal-Russia Literary Association, the Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce, and the Shailee Theatre.
The programme concluded with cultural performances showcasing the artistic heritage of both nations: Nepali traditional dances, the classical ballet “The Dying Swan” performed by Yana Yeliseyeva, a musical performance by Juju Kaji Ranjit, and the celebrated Russian song “Nadezhda” (“Hope”) performed by Vera Yurchenko – a fitting symbol of the enduring friendship between the two peoples.
The festive evening concluded with refreshments and warm conversation among guests – a vivid reminder that seven decades of diplomatic relations between Russia and Nepal are, above all, a story of friendship between people.
