Nepal’s Foreign Minister Meets Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group in Ottawa

On Wednesday, Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, met with the Chair and Members of the Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group in Ottawa as part of her official visit to Canada. The meeting, held at Parliament Hill, was hosted by Sonia Sidhu, Chair of the Friendship Group and Member of Parliament, who warmly welcomed Dr. Deuba and highlighted the significance of this first-ever visit by a Nepali Foreign Minister to Canada.

The two sides engaged in discussions that reviewed the existing friendly relations between the parliaments of Nepal and Canada. Both parties emphasized the importance of promoting regular exchanges and sharing experiences between Members of Parliament from the two countries, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Ottawa.

Foreign Minister Deuba praised the Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group, describing it as a crucial platform for mutual learning and the exchange of democratic practices between Nepal and Canada. She also informed Canadian lawmakers of the recent establishment of a Nepal-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group in Nepal’s Federal Parliament, expressing confidence that these mechanisms will foster increased collaboration and exchanges between the two nations’ legislative bodies.

During the meeting, Sonia Sidhu underscored the potential for greater cooperation between Canadian and Nepali parliamentarians. She also lauded Nepal’s progress in gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly the increased representation of women in Nepal’s parliament, local governments, and public life.

Foreign Minister Deuba was accompanied by Nepal’s Ambassador to Canada, Bharat Raj Paudyal, and other officials during the visit. The meeting further strengthened Nepal-Canada ties and laid the foundation for enhanced collaboration between the two countries’ legislative branches.