Foreign Minister Saud Set to Visit Australia and New Zealand

Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, is set to depart for Perth, Australia, on Wednesday to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Scheduled for February 9-10, the conference themed ‘Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean’ is a joint initiative by the Australian government and India Foundation.

Minister Saud is slated to address the conference, emphasizing Nepal’s commitment to regional stability and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean sphere on Saturday.

During his stay in Perth, Minister Saud will engage in a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, further strengthening the diplomatic ties between the two nations. Additionally, he will hold discussions with various heads of delegations from participating countries on the sidelines of the conference.

Following his engagements in Australia, Minister Saud will proceed to Wellington, New Zealand, for a bilateral meeting with New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, on February 14. This meeting will be preceded by the second foreign ministry consultation meeting between senior officials of both ministries.

Accompanied by his spouse, Jyotshna Adhikari Saud, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Saud’s delegation will include Ambassador of Nepal to Australia, Kailash Raj Pokharel.

Minister Saud is expected to return home on February 15, having advanced Nepal’s diplomatic outreach and furthered engagements with key regional partners.