Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday evening. He is in Nepal for a two-day official visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Warm Reception at Tribhuvan International Airport
Upon arrival, Sheikh Abdullah was welcomed at Tribhuvan International Airport by Nepal’s Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari. Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present at the reception.
High-Level Bilateral Meeting Scheduled
According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah will hold a bilateral meeting with the Nepali delegation today. The delegation from Nepal is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh.
The meeting will focus on enhancing cooperation in areas like trade, investment, employment, infrastructure, and energy. It is expected to explore new agreements and deepen existing partnerships between Nepal and the UAE.
UAE Delegation Includes Top-Level Officials
The Deputy Prime Minister is accompanied by several senior officials from the UAE. These include:
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Ahmed Ali Mohamed Al Sayegh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
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Saeed Mubarak Rashed Alhajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs
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Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability Affairs
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Abdulla Jarwan Alshamsi, UAE Ambassador to Nepal
Other senior officials from the UAE government are also part of the visiting delegation.
Focus on Labor and Economic Cooperation
One of the major topics on the agenda is labor relations. Thousands of Nepali workers are employed in the UAE, making labor rights and employment opportunities a shared priority.
According to the Department of Foreign Employment, over 300,000 Nepalis work in the UAE. Many send money back home, making the Gulf nation one of Nepal’s biggest sources of foreign remittance.
Both countries are likely to discuss ways to improve worker safety, streamline recruitment processes, and enhance bilateral agreements to protect migrant rights.
Energy and Investment Also on the Table
Another key focus of the visit is energy cooperation. Nepal is rich in hydropower potential, and the UAE has shown interest in green energy investments across Asia. There may be discussions on possible UAE investments in Nepal’s hydropower projects, clean energy development, and sustainability efforts.
The UAE is also a potential investor in Nepal’s tourism and infrastructure sectors. Today’s meeting could lead to Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) or talks on public-private partnerships.
A Strategic Diplomatic Step for Both Nations
This visit marks a significant moment in Nepal-UAE relations. It reflects Nepal’s aim to strengthen ties with Gulf nations and attract more foreign investment. For the UAE, it represents a growing interest in deepening relations with South Asia beyond trade and labor cooperation.
The diplomatic engagement also comes at a time when Nepal is actively expanding its international partnerships and revisiting its foreign policy strategy in line with global economic changes.
Departure Scheduled for Late Afternoon
Sheikh Abdullah and his team are expected to return to the UAE later today after completing the scheduled bilateral meetings and courtesy calls with Nepali leaders.
