Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has requested Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s assistance in securing the release of Bipin Joshi, kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023. During their conversation, Al-Sisi promised to focus on hostages’ release efforts. They also discussed the Sagarmatha Sambad, an upcoming climate dialogue in Nepal.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of Nepal initiated a telephone discussion with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Wednesday to secure assistance for the release of Bipin Joshi. Joshi has been held captive by Hamas militants since October 7, 2023. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement highlighting the prime minister’s appreciation for Egypt’s mediation efforts in the Gaza ceasefire and urging continued diplomatic focus on Joshi’s situation.
President Al-Sisi assured Prime Minister Oli that Egypt would prioritize the release of all remaining hostages during the second phase of negotiations, which includes Joshi. Presently, Joshi’s condition remains unconfirmed. He was abducted while participating in the “Learn and Earn” agricultural program in Israel, specifically from Alumim Kibbutz, where Hamas captured 251 individuals during their assault. Although several hostages have been released, numerous individuals remain in captivity.
Additionally, President Al-Sisi expressed admiration for Nepal’s initiative to host the Sagarmatha Sambad and conveyed his best wishes for its success. Prime Minister Oli extended an invitation for the Egyptian leader to participate in this upcoming dialogue forum. Scheduled for May 16 to 18 in Kathmandu, the Sagarmatha Sambad focuses on climate change and environmental sustainability, with an expected attendance of 160 to 200 foreign delegates.
The theme for this inaugural event is “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” featuring discussions with heads of state and representatives from various multilateral and donor organizations. Furthermore, Prime Minister Oli underscored the significance of global collaboration in confronting climate-related challenges and anticipated that Egypt’s involvement would enhance the quality of the discussions. The foreign ministry noted that both leaders addressed matters concerning bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation, and prospective high-level visits.
In summary, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is actively seeking Egypt’s support for the release of Bipin Joshi, who is held hostage by Hamas. President Al-Sisi has committed to prioritizing Joshi’s release in ongoing negotiations. Furthermore, both leaders discussed the upcoming Sagarmatha Sambad, an international dialogue on climate change, highlighting the importance of global cooperation on environmental issues while fostering bilateral relations between Nepal and Egypt.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
