PM Shah meets Australian ambassador, discusses cooperation on climate and disasters

Australia's Ambassador to Nepal Simon Ernst paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Thursday, covered bilateral relations, mutual cooperation, disasters and climate change.

Ambassador Ernst said the talks included the recent flood and landslide damage in Rasuwa, as well as rescue and relief efforts.

Prime Minister Shah expressed gratitude for the solidarity and goodwill shown by the Australian government during the difficult period of the disaster.

He thanked Australia for providing a support team, specialist personnel, relief materials and equipment for search, rescue and relief work.

The Prime Minister described the humanitarian assistance announced by Australia as an important expression of friendship.

The two sides also discussed continued cooperation on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood-affected communities, and on reducing disaster risk and building resilience.

The Australian embassy said education, development cooperation, trade and the Nepali community have strengthened relations between the two countries.

The embassy described the meeting as part of ongoing diplomatic dialogue continuing the Nepal–Australia relationship.

Prime Minister Shah, who has already held two rounds of collective talks with foreign ambassadors, had earlier called in the ambassadors of India, China and Japan, as well as the acting US ambassador, for discussions at Singha Durbar.