Sunak pledges more support for Nepal

During an event at 10 Downing Street this week to celebrate 100 years of Nepal-Britain relations, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed to helping Nepal on the matter of the climate crisis. Sunak also pledged to enhance trade, investment and economic relations with Nepal.

British envoy to Nepal William O’Connor and Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher signed the Nepal-Britain Treaty of Friendship on 21 December 1923 which formally recognised Nepal as a sovereign country.

Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles and Prince Harry have all visited Nepal multiple times but no British prime minister has ever come to Nepal.

But predating all of this is the recruitment of the Gurkhas in the British Army with a history of over 200 years, and Sunak also acknowledged the role of Nepali soldiers in further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as present day Nepali diaspora excelling in various fields in the UK.

British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ann Marie Trevelyan who was in Nepal in December last year to mark the centenary was also present at the ceremony. She said that Britain will continue to support and expand Nepal's development and economic efforts to help Nepal achieve middle income status.

Nepali Ambassador to Britain Gyan Chandra Acharya said that the Treaty of Friendship was important to establish Nepal's presence in the international arena and in promoting international relations. He also expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the British government in the development of Nepal.

Members of the Nepali diaspora in the UK, ex-Gurkhas, British parliamentarians and high-ranking officials were present at the program organised in collaboration with the Nepal Embassy in London and the Foreign and Commonwealth office.