Kathmandu: The Ambassadors Club Nepal hosted a reception in honour of H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Alharthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Foreign Ministry of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Abdulaziz Alhosni, Head of the Asia and Pacific Department at Oman’s Foreign Ministry and H.E. Issa Saleh Abdullah Saleh Alshibani, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Nepal, and the accompanying delegation at its premises in Bishalnagar, Kathmandu on October 8.
Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, President of the Ambassadors Club Nepal and Mr. Bimal Dhakal warmly welcomed the distinguished guests to the program celebrating enduring friendship, shared diplomatic achievements and new possibilities for cooperation.
The reception reflected the Club’s role as a platform for diplomatic dialogue and people-to-people relations. By bringing together diplomats and friends of Nepal, the Club seeks to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen cultural connections and translate goodwill into meaningful partnerships between Nepal and the international community.
In her opening remarks, Amb. Dr. Dhakal congratulated both delegations on the convening of the Second Meeting of the Nepal–Oman Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, recognising its contribution to sustained dialogue and closer bilateral engagement.
“It is a pleasure to see this important mechanism bringing our two countries together once again, continuing the dialogue and cooperation that have long been at the heart of our relationship. We are truly pleased to welcome the Omani delegation to Nepal on this occasion,” she said.
Recalling her appointment as Nepal’s first Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman in 2017, she described her service in Muscat as a deeply enriching journey of building bridges between the Himalayas and the Arabian Sea. She reflected with particular affection on the friendships formed during her tenure and recalled the privilege of signing, on behalf of Nepal, the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism.
Amb. Dr. Dhakal formally welcomed Ambassador Alshibani as an Honorary Member of the Ambassadors Club Nepal, reaffirming the Club’s commitment to fostering lasting relationships within the diplomatic community.
Looking ahead, she highlighted opportunities for cooperation in tourism, investment, trade, education, skills development, technology, renewable energy, culture and research, alongside stronger people-to-people exchanges. She expressed hope that the establishment of a resident Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Kathmandu would further strengthen these connections and open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
In his remarks, Undersecretary Alharthy thanked Amb. Dr. Dhakal and Mr. Bimal Dhakal for their gracious hospitality. Referring to the forthcoming fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Oman, he expressed the desire to commemorate the milestone through a meaningful initiative befitting the friendship between the two countries.
He paid a warm tribute to Amb. Dr. Dhakal’s tenure in Oman, observing that she had left a lasting mark and become part of the country’s wider civil society. His words recognised the enduring value of personal engagement in building trust and understanding between nations.
Sharing a fond recollection of an earlier visit to Nepal during the monarchy, Undersecretary Alharthy recalled receiving a perfumed handkerchief from the late King—a gesture of hospitality that had remained with him over the years. The memory brought a personal warmth to the occasion, illustrating how thoughtful encounters can leave an enduring imprint on relations between peoples.
He congratulated Amb. Dr. Dhakal on establishing the Ambassadors Club Nepal and on her continued engagement in diplomacy. He also acknowledged her successor, Ambassador Dornath Aryal, for carrying forward and building upon the work initiated during her tenure, and expressed confidence in Ambassador Alshibani’s contribution to further strengthening bilateral ties.
On the occasion, Amb. Dr. Dhakal presented tokens of appreciation to H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Alharthy while also presenting Ambassador Alshibani with a commemorative cup marking his honorary membership of the Club.
Amb. Dr. Dhakal conveyed her profound respect and sincere best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, Sultan of Oman, for His Majesty’s continued good health, happiness and long life, and for the enduring peace, progress and prosperity of the Sultanate and its people under his leadership.
She also extended her respectful good wishes to the Honourable Lady Ahad bint Abdullah bin Hamad Al Said, H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman, and the friendly people of Oman.
The evening concluded in a spirit of warmth and mutual esteem, affirming that diplomacy is sustained not only through formal dialogue, but also through friendship, trust and the connections between people that bring nations closer.
