Foreign Minister Dr Rana seeks Qatar’s support for Bipin Joshi’s release

May 17, Kathmandu: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has once again appealed to Qatar’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Sustainability, Badar Umar Ismail Al Dafa, to continue supporting efforts for the release and safe return of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, held hostage by Hamas since 2023.

During a courtesy meeting in Kathmandu on Friday, held on the sidelines of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, Minister Dr. Rana expressed gratitude for Qatar’s ongoing efforts to secure Joshi’s release and urged continued and enhanced initiatives to ensure his safe return to Nepal. The discussions focused on Joshi’s current situation and the need for urgent action.

Minister Dr. Rana has repeatedly raised the issue with Qatar’s Foreign Minister and other key mediators involved in Hamas-Israel peace talks, consistently requesting their support for Joshi’s release. She also thanked Qatar for its participation in the Sagarmatha Sambaad and discussed potential collaboration to address the impacts of climate change in the future.

Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, was taken hostage by Hamas in 2023, and Nepal has been actively seeking international support for his release and safe return.