The upcoming visit of Nepali Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and his spouse to Viet Nam and his attendance at the UN Day of Vesak 2019 from 9-12 May is expected to contribute to boosting friendship between the two nations in the future.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Nepali PM K P Sharma Oli on the sidelines of the annual Davos World Economic Forum in January 2019 (Photo: VNA)

The visit takes place in the context of smooth developments in the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Nepal, especially collaboration through the Party channel and economic-trade partnership.

Cultural and tourism cooperation as well as people-to-people exchange have been strengthened, while the two sides have shown mutual support and collaboration at international forums, especially the UN.

Viet Nam and Nepal set up their diplomatic relations on 15 May, 1975 and have maintained sound relations in many areas. The two sides have regularly exchanged delegations in various areas from politics to trade.

Visits of Vietnamese senior officials to Nepal included those by deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission Pham Thi Hai Chuyen in 2009; deputy heads of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Pham Xuan Son in 2010 and Nguyen Huy Tang in 2014; Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang in 2014; Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh in 2017; and head of the National Assembly’s Defence-Security Committee Vo Trong Viet in March 2019.

Meanwhile, many Nepali delegations visited Viet Nam, including those led by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation in 2004; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development in 2009, and the Minister of Trade in 2017. Vietnamese Honorary Consul General in Nepal Rajesh Kazi Shrestha also visited Viet Nam in April 2018. During the Davos World Economic Forum in January 2019, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc also had a meeting with Nepali PM K P Sharma Oli.

Businesses of both sides have bolstered their partnership with multiple cooperation agreements.

Over the past 44 years, Viet Nam has offered support to Nepal, including 50,000 USD in aid to help it deal with earthquake consequences in 2015. Nepal has supported Vietnam in citizen protection. The two sides are working together on the signing of an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders.

The Viet Nam-Nepal Friendship Association was set up in September 2014, while the Vietnamese Honorary Consul General in Kathmandu was appointed in October 2016.

Viet Nam and Nepal have supported and collaborated with each other at multilateral and international forums. Nepal has backed Viet Nam’s market economy and candidacy for the UN Human Right Council in November 2013, the UN Economic and Social Council, and the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

At the same time, Viet Nam has supported Nepal in running for a seat at the UN Human Right Council for the 2018-2020 tenure. Nepal is also one of the founders the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

However, economic and trade cooperation between Viet Nam and Nepal has remained modest. By September 2018, two-way trade reached only 38 million USD. Viet Nam mostly exported to Nepal peppercorn and plastic products, while importing garment-textile materials, leather, and footwear. Currently, the Viettel Military Industry-Telecommunication Group is exploring investment opportunities in Nepal.

In April 2018, Nepal sent a business delegation to seek partnership opportunities in Viet Nam and attended the Viet Nam Expo 2018 in Ha Noi from 11-14 April. During the visit, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in information sharing and trade promotion.

At the Viet Nam Expo 2018, Nepali businesses showcased a number of typical products of Nepal.

Nepal is a landlocked country with eight out of the 10 highest mountains in the world. Among the country’s tourist destinations is Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and now a World Heritage Site.

(Source: VNA)