Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is on a five-day visit to Thailand. On Wednesday, he met Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. They focused on tourism, culture, and economic cooperation.
Official Welcome and Meeting Details
Shinawatra welcomed Oli with a ceremonial guard of honor. The meeting was held at a government building in Thailand. Several key officials from both countries attended. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, Prime Minister Oli’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, and Economic Development Advisor Yubaraj Khatiwada were present. Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai also joined the meeting.
Signing of Agreements
After the meeting, Nepal and Thailand signed agreements to boost cooperation. These agreements focus on tourism and culture. Foreign Minister Rana signed the deal on behalf of Nepal. In a social media post, Rana stated that other agreements were also signed between private industries of both nations.
“In addition to the cultural agreement and the MoU on tourism cooperation, various non-governmental industries have signed agreements to strengthen Nepal-Thailand ties,” Rana said in a post on X.
Joint Press Conference
Both leaders spoke to the press after the meeting. They emphasized the importance of stronger diplomatic ties. Oli said Nepal is keen to learn from Thailand’s successful tourism industry. He invited Thai businesses to invest in Nepal’s tourism and infrastructure.
Oli’s Schedule in Thailand
After the meeting, Oli attended a luncheon hosted by Shinawatra. He will also meet Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This visit is historic as it marks the first official trip by a Nepali prime minister to Thailand in 65 years since the two nations established diplomatic relations.
Nepal’s Delegation
Prime Minister Oli’s team includes his wife, Radhika Shakya. Foreign Minister Deuba is also part of the delegation. Other top officials from Nepal’s government have joined the visit. The goal is to enhance partnerships in different fields.
BIMSTEC Summit Participation
Oli is also attending the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit. The summit brings together regional leaders. Oli will address the gathering and discuss ways to improve multilateral cooperation.
Strengthening Nepal-Thailand Ties
This visit aims to bring Nepal and Thailand closer. Both countries see opportunities in tourism, trade, and culture. Oli’s visit is expected to open new doors for collaboration. He will return to Nepal on April 5.
