Saudi Arabia, Nepal’s main foreign employment destination, has said it will open a mission in Nepal only after peace and stability are restored here, a diplomatic source said.

“We are finding it hard to establish our mission in Nepal at this time. It will be better when Nepal gets over with its transition period,” a source said, adding that Saudi officials conveyed this to Nepali diplomats in Riyadh.

As over half a million Nepali youth are working in Saudi Arabia, Nepal government has been lobbying hard to open the Gulf nation’s diplomatic mission in Kathmandu. Foreign Ministry officials say this will facilitate Nepali youths to procure Saudi visa.

Having no Saudi embassy or consulate here, Nepalis have to go either to Bangladesh or Mumbai in India to get visa. This ordeal will not be necessary with a Saudi mission in the country, said the source.

The Nepali Deputy Chief of Mission in Saudi Arabia Harish Chandra Ghimire said Riyadh is positive about opening its mission in Nepal, but is concerned about unfavourable political ambiance in Nepal.

Published on: 13 May 2011 | The Himalayan Times