A panel headed by a joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has recommended the ministry to open at least 13 new Nepali missions, including three consulate offices, abroad.

Joint Secretary Pralhad Kumar Prasai, who was recently appointed Nepal’s ambassador to Israel, has handed over a report to this effect to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

The panel has recommended the government gradually open new missions in Oman, Bahrain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Indonesia, Turkey, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Maldives and three Consulates offices—Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Mumbai (India) and Guangzhou (China).

Owing to a significant rise of the Nepali population in Oman and Bahrain, the panel has suggested opening missions in these two countries immediately. According to the report, Nepal needs to open missions in European countries like Spain, Turkey, Italy and Portugal under a mid-term plan. “As  a member of the Saarc, Nepal also needs to open missions in Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan,” the report has stated.

There is a need of opening missions in Indonesia and Singapore too in the long run, the official said, as the Nepali population has shot up these countries.

MoFA Spokesperson Arjun Bahadur Thapa, meanwhile, said the ministry has not taken any formal decision in this regard. “But, we have felt the necessity to open additional missions due to increasing population of Nepalis abroad and on the grounds of reciprocity,” Thapa said.

The proposal will be forwarded to the Cabinet for final approval after holding comprehensive discussion with other line ministries, he added. If the recommendations are implemented, Nepal is likely to add three missions in Oman, Spain and Bahrain within the next fiscal year.

Published on: 16 April 2012 | The Kathmandu Post