‘We Are Focused on Security and Repatriation of Nepalis in Israel and Iran’ – Foreign Minister Dr. Rana

Photo: RSS

Kathmandu: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is prioritizing the safety and repatriation of Nepali citizens currently in Israel and Iran, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Addressing the House of Representatives on June 23, Minister Dr. Rana said the Ministry is taking the Israel-Iran conflict and its potential impact on Nepalis very seriously. “MoFA is working with utmost priority to ensure the security of Nepali citizens in the region,” she said.

She informed Parliament that the Ministry has been closely monitoring the situation since the conflict began. A small number of Nepalis in Iran have been rescued with the assistance of the Indian Embassy, following a request made to the Indian government. Meanwhile, accurate data on Nepalis in Israel is being collected through an online registration portal.

“Those who are in difficult situations and wish to return home are registering on the portal,” Minister Rana said. “This helps us gather details on their location and numbers. We have already initiated preparations for their safe repatriation.”

Minister Dr. Rana also addressed the case of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student kidnapped in Israel, saying that the government has taken all possible diplomatic measures to locate him. However, there is still no update on his condition.

“Let us all pray. Our son, Bipin Joshi, is still safe and will return to Nepal one day. We are continuously raising the issue at every level,” she said.

Similarly, Dr. Rana also mentioned that the embassy has taken the necessary steps to repatriate the body of Rabi Mahato Suri, who died in a car accident in Croatia on May 31. The Foreign Employment Board has agreed to cover the remaining expenses, enabling the return of his body to Nepal as soon as possible.

She was responding to questions raised during the parliamentary discussion on the Appropriation Bill related to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Topics included Nepal’s territorial and border issues, the promotion of economic diplomacy, matters concerning non-resident Nepalis, capacity building, consular services, ambassadorial appointments, and overall foreign policy and national security.