Nepal, Kazakhstan sign visa exemption deal for diplomatic passports; Khanal meets Romanian counterpart

Nepal and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement exempting holders of diplomatic and official or service passports from visa requirements. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments on the sidelines of the UN's 81st General Assembly in New York.

Under the agreement, citizens of both countries holding such passports will not need a visa to visit the other country. According to Minister Khanal's secretariat, the arrangement is expected to ease travel between the two countries and enhance cooperation.

Before the signing, the two ministers held a bilateral meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest and ways to expand relations. Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in Central Asia. Bordering Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, it is the ninth-largest country in the world by area and is known for its oil, gas and uranium.

Meanwhile, Minister Khanal also held a separate meeting with Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu at the UN headquarters. The meeting discussed broadening Nepal-Romania cooperation and exploring new areas of mutual benefit. Both sides stressed the need to make cooperation more effective in areas including climate action, and the two ministers agreed to continue cooperation on matters of shared interest in the days ahead.