Nepal, Saudi Arabia eye deeper partnership ahead of diplomatic golden jubilee

May 21, Kathmandu: Nepal and Saudi Arabia have pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and strategic engagement as the two countries prepare to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relations next year.

The commitment was reaffirmed during a telephone conversation on Wednesday between Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

During the conversation, Prince Faisal congratulated Minister Khanal and expressed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working closely with Nepal in areas of mutual interest. Khanal, in turn, thanked the Saudi government for ensuring the safety and security of Nepali nationals amid the ongoing regional tensions and conveyed Nepal’s solidarity with the Kingdom during the challenging period.

The two ministers reviewed the longstanding relationship between Kathmandu and Riyadh and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. They also discussed expanding collaboration in trade, investment and other priority sectors, including promoting Saudi private sector investment in Nepal.

The upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations featured prominently in the discussion, with both sides viewing the Golden Jubilee as an opportunity to elevate ties and open a new chapter in Nepal–Saudi Arabia relations.