BILATERAL RELATIONS

BILATERAL RELATIONS
NEPAL-OMAN BILATERAL RELATIONS

Mutual Relations
Nepal and the Sultanate of Oman established their diplomatic relations on 21 January 1977. The relations between the two countries have always remained cordial and friendly. Mutual trust, respect, understanding and cooperation form the strong basis of bilateral relations between two countries. Prior to the opening up of residential embassy in Muscat, the Embassy of Nepal in Riyadh was concurrently accredited to the Sultanate.
The Government of Nepal opened its embassy in Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman on September 1, 2013. New chancery of the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat was formally inaugurated by H.H. Mohammad Salim Ali Al-Said, Chief of Protocol Department on November 20, 2013 at Diplomatic area of Shatti Al-Qurum and started full-fledged functioning along with Consular services. The then Foreign Secretary of Nepal Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa later inaugurated the Embassy at its premises on December 25, 2013. At the establishment, the Embassy was headed by Mr. Jhabindra Prasad Aryal in the capacity of Chargé d"Affaires e.p. The Embassy was upgraded to the Ambassador level with the appointment of H.E. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, as the first Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman in 2017. The establishment of the new Embassy has unlocked new potentials of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of tourism, trade and investment, and Human Resources utilization in favour of both countries.
Nepal and the Sultanate of Oman share similar views on several global agenda and issues. Both countries are the members of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), G-77, ACD and some other international forums. They have been working together and also playing an active role in these forums for the promotion of international peace and security, collective progress, prosperity and wellbeing of global citizens.

Exchange of Visits
Regular exchange of visits and interactions at different levels between the leaders from both countries have contributed to foster goodwill and understanding between the two countries. This also provides great opportunities for both countries to broaden and deepen their bonds of friendship and ties that have been subsisting so happily for several years.

Details of Visits from Omani Side:

• Visit of Foreign Minister of Oman to Nepal : At the cordial invitation of Honourable Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, arrived in Kathmandu on 26 August 2024 for an official visit to Nepal. On 27 August 2024, the Foreign Minister of Oman paid courtesy calls on the Right Honourable President of Nepal Mr. Ramchandra Paudel and the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. K P Sharma Oli. Matters concerning bilateral relations and ways and means for further strengthening Nepal-Oman cooperation in mutually beneficial areas were discussed on the occasion. Honourable Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister for Foreign Affairs held bilateral talks with His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman in Kathmandu on 27 August 2024. Both Ministers reviewed overall aspects of Nepal-Oman relations including matters relating to labour and employment, tourism, trade, air connectivity, investment, among others. They also discussed to finalize the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between two countries in the field of Labour and Manpower Exchange, Health Cooperation, Tourism Cooperation and Diplomatic Studies and Training. The two sides reviewed the progress made in various areas of cooperation and also discussed opportunities for further collaboration for mutual benefits. The two sides also exchanged views on matters relating to enhancing cooperation between two countries at regional as well as multilateral levels in the areas of mutual interest. The two Ministers emphasized the need for regularly convening meetings of bilateral mechanisms to review the overall state of relations and for the higher level of engagements.
• A seven-member delegation under the leadership of H.E. Ambassador Sulaiman Saud Ali Aziz Al Jabri - Head, Legal Department, MoFA, Oman paid an official visit to Nepal from 01-05 August 2024 to discuss on various draft MOUs including Labour MOU. The delegation had a very fruitful meeting in Nepal. During the visit H.E. Ambassador Sulaiman Saud Ali Aziz Al Jabri and his team members paid courtesy calls on Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Hon. Sharat Singh Bhandari and Foreign Secretary Ms. Sewa Lamshal. Other members of the delegation were Commander Mohamed Nasser Sulaiman Al Kindi - Royal Oman Police, Oman, H.E. Ambassador Jassim Eid Abdullah Al Saadi - Head, Consular department, MOFA, Oman, Issa Hamed Humaid Al Bulushi - Public Prosecution Office, Oman, .. Advisor to the Labour Minister, Ministry of Labour, Oman, Mohammed Mahmood Al Mahmoudi , Royal Office, Oman.
• His Excellency Jamal al-Moosawi, General Secretary of National Museum of Oman visited Nepal from 22-26 April 2023 at the invitation of the concerned authorities of the Government of Nepal. During the visit the Secretary General paid courtesy call on Hon. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal. He also met with the Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Director General, Department of Archeology, Head of National Museum. Matters of bilateral cooperation in the field of culture and tourism were discussed during the meeting.
• E. Abdul Salam M. Al Murshidi, President of State General Reserve Fund of the Sultanate of Oman and some officials from the Oman Chamber of Commerce visited Nepal from 29-30 March 2019 to participate in Nepal Investment Summit 2019. During the visit delegation paid courtesy calls on Rt. Hon. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, Hon. Finance Minister, Hon. Foreign Minister and other high dignitaries. The delegation had expressed the willingness to invest in some specific fields such as energy, water, infrastructure and tourism in near future.
• A technical team of the Ministry of Manpower of the Sultanate of Oman comprised of H.E. Mr. Salim bin Said Al Badi- Director General of Labour Welfare, Abdullaziz Bin Hamed Al Rawahi- Director of Legal Department; Mr. Abdullah Bin Murad Al Mullahi- Director of International Organizations & Foreign Relations visited Nepal on 01-04 May 2019 to discuss on the proposed MOU in the field of labour.
  
  Details of Visits from Nepali Side:
• Visit of Hon"ble Foreign Minister to Oman: Hon"ble Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba and the accompanying Nepali delegation arrived in the Sultanate of Oman on 14 February 2025 to attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference with the theme “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership” and hold bilateral meetings. During her stay in Oman, she held thirteen bilateral meetings, concluded two MOUs, held a virtual meeting with Nepali Ambassadors and diplomats in GCC countries, and interacted with the representatives of the Oman-based Nepali Community.
  The Hon"ble Minister visited the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat and interacted with the staff on 15 February 2025. H.E. Dornath Aryal, Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate of Oman, briefed the Hon"ble Minister about the activities of the Embassy highlighting the positive initiatives undertaken by the Embassy to cater the needs and promote the well-being of the Nepali workers in Oman. The Ambassador hosted a luncheon in the honour of Hon"ble Minister and her delegation at Nepal House.
  Hon"ble Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed the plenary of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference titled “Amplifying the Voice of Global South” on 16 February 2025. On the sidelines of the Conference, Hon"ble Foreign Minister held bilateral meeting with H.E. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, H.E. Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Dina Nath Dhungyel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan and H.E. Mr. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC. Later in the evening, Hon"ble Foreign Minister participated in the special dinner hosted by H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman in honour of the Heads of the delegation attending the Indian Ocean Conference.
  The Minister held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman on 17 February 2025. Both Foreign Ministers witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Diplomatic Academy of Oman. H.E. Donatha Aryal and H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Humaid bin Ali bin Sultan Al-Maani, Head of the Diplomatic Academy of Oman, signed the MOU on behalf of the respective institutions. The two Ministers agreed to establish "Nepal-Oman and Oman-Nepal Friendship Group" and directed their respective ambassadors and officials to initiate the necessary steps for their formation.
  On the sidelines of the Conference, Hon"ble Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. MIYAJI Takuma, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, H.E. Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, H.E. Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maldives and H.E. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Former President of Sri Lanka on 17 February 2025.
  Hon"ble Foreign Minister held a virtual meeting with the Nepali Ambassadors and Diplomats in the GCC countries on 18 February 2025. Later that evening, the Minister interacted with the representatives of the Oman-based Nepali Community.
  The Minister held a bilateral meeting with H. E. Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate of Oman on 19 February 2025. Later in the afternoon, Hon"ble Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with H. E. Salim bin Mohammed bin Said Al Mahroqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman. Both the Ministers signed a “Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman in the field of Tourism Cooperation” on behalf of their respective Governments.
  Hon"ble Foreign Minister was accompanied by H.E. Dornath Aryal, Mr. Ram Kaji Khadka, Joint Secretary at the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Bishesh Kumar Sah, Second Secretary at the Embassy, and other officials of the Office of the Foreign Minister during the Conference and bilateral meetings. The Nepali delegation departed from Muscat on 19 February 2025. H.E. Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Hosni, Head of the Asia-Pacific Department of the Foreign Ministry, H.E. Dornath Aryal, his spouse Mrs. Swodesh Aryal and the Embassy officials bade farewell to the delegation. Detailed Press Releases of each event are attached.
• Foreign Secretary Ms. Sewa Lamsal paid an official visit to Oman from 05-09 August 2024 leading a Nepali delegation to take part in the first meeting of the Bilateral Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Sultanate of Oman held in Muscat on 07 August 2024. Foreign Secretary Ms. Sewa Lamsal led the Nepali delegation and His Excellency Mr. Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Alharthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs led the Omani delegation. During the meeting, the leaders of the delegation reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the excellent state of relations existing between Nepal and Oman since 1977. They discussed the bilateral relations and agreed to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors, especially the exchange of high-level visits, trade, investment, economic cooperation, agriculture, energy, tourism, labour and foreign employment, culture, education and direct air connectivity, among others. The Nepali delegation also comprised of H.E. Mr. Dornath Aryal, Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate of Oman, Joint Secretary Mr. Sharad Raj Aran, Head of the Central Asia, West Asia and Africa Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other officials from the Ministry and the Embassy.Likewise, the Omani delegation consisted of the Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Bin Ali Al Balushi, Acting Chief of Asia Pacific Department and other officials from the Foreign Ministry. Foreign Secretary Ms. Sewa Lamsal paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, Minister of Labour, Sultanate of Oman on 07 August 2024 and she paid a courtesy call on H.E. Salim bin Mohammed bin Said Al Mahroqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman on 08 August 2024.
• Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mr. Purna Bahadur Khadka, Hon. Labour Minister Mr. Sharat Singh Bhandari, Hon. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Raghubir Mahaseth, Hon. Former Finance Minister Mr. Janardan Sharma and Hon. Former Labour Minister Mr. Kishan Kumar Shrestha visited Oman on 28 June 2023, to attend the 8th NRNA Regional Middle East Conference in Muscat.
• DPM and Health & Population Minister Mr. Upendra Yadav paid a visit to Oman on 14 April 2019 during his visit to Ethiopia leading a delegation to a participate in a program organized by WTO.
• The Right Honourable Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister of Nepal paid an Official Visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 25-28 September 2017. The Rt. Hon"ble Prime Minister was accompanied by Hon"ble Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs; Hon"ble Mr. Farmullah Mansoor, Minister for Labour and Employment; Hon"ble Ms. Asha Koirala, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare; Dr. Dinesh Bhattarai, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister and Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary, among others. MOU on Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between the Foreign Ministries of both countries was signed on 27 September 2017 during the visit.The mechanism provides the platform for enhancing bilateral relations and sharing views on ways and means for further strengthening bilateral ties.
• Jitendra Narayan Dev, the then Tourism Minister, paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman to participate in the second “UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture” organized by the Sultanate on 11-12 December 2017. Hon. Minister was accompanied by the officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
• Mr. Bhim Rawal, former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and vice-chairman of CPN (UML), MP, was in a three-day private visit in Oman from 23 to 25 February 2017.
• Er. Mr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission and Mr. Lal Shankar Ghimire, Joint Secretary of NPC were in 3 days official visit in Oman from 27- 29 November 2016. They participated in Tanfeed program of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman.
• Mr. Bal Krishna Khand, the then Minister for Defence, was in transit in Oman on 29 October 2016 while returning to Nepal from France.
• Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, was in transit in Oman on 24th October 2014 while returning to Nepal from Pakistan after extending invitation of 18th SAARC Summit.
• Mr. Raj Nath Pandey, Head of the Public Account Committee representing the Audit Committee of the Parliament of Nepal, along with other MPs of Nepal including Hon. Mrs. Chanda Chaudhary visited the Embassy of Nepal on 04 July 2019 during 7 hrs. transit while returning to Nepal from London, UK.
• Ram Prasad Ghimire, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) visited Oman leading a technical team from Nepal comprising of Mr. Fanindra Gautam, Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Mr. Dipak Dhakal, Undersecretary, MoLESS; Mr. Suresh Adhikari, Undersecretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Suresh Subedi, Section Officer, MoLESS, visited the Sultanate of Oman on 26-29 January 2019
• A six-Member Nepalese delegation led by Mr. Jay Narayan Acharya, Under Secretary, Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministries visited Oman from 26-30 July 2014.
• Suresh Man Shrestha, the then Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation paid a three days official visit to Oman. During his visit, a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Air services was signed on 28 December 2014 which increased the flight frequency between two countries up to twenty-one flight a week, which was seven flights a week according to the earlier MOU signed on 2 December 1997.
• Arjun Bahadur Thapa, the then Foreign Secretary accompanied by Mr. Kali Prasad Pokharel, the then Chief of Protocol and Mr. Buddhi Khadka, Joint Secretary of Labour Ministry paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 23-26 December 2013. During the visit, Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa inaugurated newly opened Embassy at its premises.
• At the invitation of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, an official delegation led by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Ranadhir Subba had represented Nepal at 15th National Day of Oman in November 1985.
• Late King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya paid visit to Oman in 1986.
  
  Economic Relations
  Since both countries are endowed with abundant natural resources, there exists tremendous scope for promoting further cooperation between the two countries in the fields of investment, trade, tourism and human resource utilization. Nepal could be a destination country for tourism, trade and investment opportunity for Omani nationals. Both Nepal and Oman should further strengthen their economic ties in the domain of having their competitive strength.
  Nepal has adopted liberal economic policies since early 1990s.In line with that policy and in order to incorporate positive effects of globalization, the Government of Nepal is in the process of making adjustment to various rules and regulations relating to business and investment climate in order to ensure an investment-friendly environment in the country and accelerate the momentum of economic transformation. Necessary changes are, therefore, being made in the foreign direct investment policies, procedures, laws and regulations. There are no legal and practical barriers to hinder investment proceeds. Separate Investment Board is formed to this effect and materialize one window policy to allure investors globally.
  The trade between Nepal and Oman is negligible and is highly in favor of the Sultanate of Oman. Nepal imports mainly Organic Compound, Plate Sheet, Film, Foil, Strip of Plastic, Motor Car and Parts of Accessories of Motor Vehicle. Nepal exports mainly carpets, knotted of wool or fine animal hair. There is high need of enhancing trade relations in the interest of both Countries. If explored and pursued, mineral water, Nepali tea, coffee, Yarchagumba (Cordyceps sinensis), Shila jeet (Mountain Tar),Panch Aunle (Dactylorhizahatagirea), vegetables, honey, handicrafts, carpet, Pasmina, seem to be viable and profitable exportable items to Oman. In order to explore the possibility of trade between the two countries and establish trade linkages, frequent regular meetings and discussion between the two Chambers of Commerce and Industries as well as between businesspersons of the two countries may prove useful.
  It would be in the interest of both countries to explore and expand the areas of cooperation in tourism, trade, investment, services, and infrastructure development, among others.
  

Tourism
Tourism sector is a very potential sector considering the enchanting beauty of both countries. So far, there is very few numbers of Omani tourists visiting Nepal. Nepal could provide best alternative ambience for Omani tourists to spend their holidays away from the bustle of modernity. There is indeed a great potential for attracting Omanis through dissemination and publicity of natural beauty, culture and hospitable nature of Nepalese people. Nepal can be destination of choice for Omanis. The embassy needs to be enriched with enough resources to effectively play its role in this regard.Labour Diplomacy is one of the aspects of economic diplomacy of Nepal. Due to insufficient absorption capacity of Nepali economy large number of youths are migrating out of country for employment opportunities. The Sultanate of Oman is among the preferred destinations for employment opportunities for Nepali workers. The flow of Nepali people to Oman is increasing every year. As per the information provided by the the Foreign Ministry of Oman, a total number of Nepali in Oman is 21028 till the end of March 2024.
Dedication to work, loyalty, sincerity and integrity are some attributes of Nepali workers that have enabled them to earn the trust and goodwill of the people and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. The prospect of employment in Oman is ever growing following the massive construction of infrastructures and real estates and their modernization in Oman.After the massive earthquake of 25 April 2015, Oman appointed H.E. Mr. Farhad as a special envoy to Nepal to coordinate rescue and relief activities for a month. The Government of Sultanate of Oman sent 40 trained personnel for after-quake rescue operation in Nepal immediately after 25 April 2015 when the disastrous quake hit Nepal. The Sultanate also offered a substantive scale of relief materials to the quake-hit people. Oman Charitable Organization sent medicines and other materials to Nepal for the needy people.

MOUs between Nepal and Oman

• MOU on Air services, 28 December 2014
• MOU on Bilateral Consultations, 27 September 2017
• Agreement on “Visa Exemption for Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports 19 October 2020
• MOU in the “Cultural and Museum Fields, 02 December 2019”
• MOU between the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal and the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Ministry of Government of Oman, 17 February 2025
• MOU in the field of "Tourism Cooperation", 19 February 2025
  

MOUs/Agreement under Pipeline

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Labour.
• MOU in the “field of Health
• MOU in the “field of Energy
• MOU in the “field of Bilateral Investment
• MOU between Chambers of Commerce and Industry
• MOU on Gainful Occupation

Embassy of Nepal,
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
February, 2025