Prime Minister Oli Pledges to Open Nepali Consulate in California

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has committed to opening a Consulate General of Nepal in California in response to growing demands from the Nepali community in the western United States. The Prime Minister, currently leading the Nepali delegation at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, assured that the government would take swift action on this request.

Various Nepali organizations, including the Nepali Public Relations Committee and the Nepali Association of Northern California, have long advocated for a consulate office in San Francisco, California, citing difficulties in accessing services such as passport renewals due to the distance from New York and Washington, DC, where the existing consulate offices are located. Approximately 100,000 Nepalis reside in California, making it a significant hub for the diaspora.

In his response, Prime Minister Oli said, “We have already planned to open a Consulate General of Nepal in California soon,” emphasizing the strategic importance of California as a hub of science, technology, and Silicon Valley, which could benefit both Nepal and its citizens.

The Nepali community also raised the issue of dual citizenship, seeking an amendment to the constitutional provisions to address their concerns. Prime Minister Oli acknowledged the need for discussions on dual citizenship but hinted that political rights for Nepalis abroad could be restricted in certain contexts, stating, “A one-time Nepali will always be a Nepali.”

Addressing queries on broader political issues, PM Oli assured the community that no amendments would be made to the constitution on fundamental matters such as democratic values, federalism, the protection of the republican system, and national sovereignty. He stressed that any constitutional amendments would be based on consensus among political parties.

In addition to California, the Nepali community in Texas called for the opening of a consulate office in their region. Meanwhile, Nepali representatives based in Canada requested Prime Minister Oli to push for the establishment of a Canadian Embassy in Nepal, to which the Prime Minister expressed willingness to explore possibilities.

The discussions reflect growing concerns among the Nepali diaspora about access to services and political engagement, and the government’s commitment to addressing these issues.