Bangladesh-Nepal Relations

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized a talk on “Bangladesh-Nepal Relations: Prospect for Sub-Regional  Cooperation” on 18 February 2020 at BIISS auditorium. H E Md Shahriar Alam, MP, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the talk as the Chief Guest while H E Mr Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Honorouable Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal was present as the keynote speaker as well as the Guest of Honour. Ambassador M Fazlul Karim, Chairman, BIISS chaired the talk. He also delivered the welcome address.

H E Mr Pradeep Kumar Gyawali stated that Nepal and Bangladesh are two close friends than neighbours. Geographically, both countries are only a few miles away. This geographical proximity together with similarity in cultures, traditions and values explains their deep-rooted friendship, growing people to people contact and cementing ties. The two lands have been natured by wisdom and insights of the great saints and philosophers like Lord Buddha and Rabindranath Tagore. These are also bringing two countries spiritually, culturally and emotionally closer. Moreover, the rivers flowing down from the Himalayas of Nepal cultivated the fertile lands of Bangladesh and have enormously contributed to the development of civilization. Hence, both countries should take pride in this natural and civilizational heritage. Referring to economic cooperation, he said that though the volume of bilateral trade is still at an immoderate level, there is immense scope for its expansion.