Minister Dr Rana calls her Egyptian counterpart to appeal for Bipin Joshi’s release

January 20, Kathmandu: Nepal’s Foreign Minister Dr Arju Rana Deuba has made a fervent appeal to her Egyptian counterpart, Dr Badr Abdel-Aty, to expedite the release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who is being held captive by Hamas.

Following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the latter group has initiated the process of releasing hostages. Foreign Minister Dr Rana requested that Egypt prioritize Joshi’s release in the first phase of this process.

Despite being in Bangkok for medical treatment, Minister Dr Rana made a phone call to her Egyptian counterpart. During the conversation, she expressed gratitude to the Egyptian government for its role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In response, Dr Abdel-Aty assured her that special instructions would be given to Egyptian mediators to secure Joshi’s release.

Since the onset of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Minister Dr Rana has been actively engaging with Qatar and Egypt – both mediators in the peace talks – to prioritize Joshi’s release. Recently, she also held a phone conversation with Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, who is a key negotiator and mediator in the peace talks.

Additionally, Minister Dr Rana had previously spoken with Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, urging him to prioritize Joshi’s release in the first phase of the release of detainees held by Hamas.

Nepal has been making consistent diplomatic efforts to secure Joshi’s release since last year. Minister Dr Rana has been advocating for Joshi’s release at various international and regional forums and meetings.