Nepal and Senegal establish diplomatic relations

Nepal and Senegal have formally established diplomatic relations. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang signed a joint statement to this effect at the UN headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the General Assembly.

Niang is Senegal's Minister for African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Nationals Abroad. The foreign minister's private secretariat said the two ministers held talks on matters of mutual interest before the signing.

The meeting also discussed relief and reconstruction following the recent climate-induced disaster in Nepal. Both ministers stressed the need to further broaden bilateral relations for shared progress and prosperity.

With the establishment of ties with Senegal, the number of countries with which Nepal has diplomatic relations has reached 188.

Separately in New York, Nepal and Serbia signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a bilateral consultation mechanism. Minister Khanal and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić signed the agreement at a side event of the General Assembly. The mechanism will provide an institutional basis for regular consultations between the two countries on matters of shared interest.