Nepal seeks Qatar’s help to secure release of its citizen held by Hamas

Published: 17 February 2025

Nepalese Foreign Minister meets Qatari Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs in Muscat seeking help

 NT Bureau

Doha

Nepal has requested Qatar to assist in se­curing the release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali youth held captive by Hamas since October 2023, The Kathmandu Post reports.

During a courtesy meeting in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday, Nepal­ese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba requested Qatari Minis­ter of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi to help mediate Joshi’s release. The two met on the side­lines of the Eighth Indian Ocean Conference, discussing Nepal-Qa­tar relations, bilateral interests, and cooperation in education and skilled workforce development, the report says.

Deuba acknowledged Qatar’s mediation role in peace talks be­tween Israel and Hamas and urged the country to take special initia­tives for Joshi’s release.

Nepal has pursued diplomatic channels to secure Joshi’s release. Minister Deuba has raised the is­sue at the United Nations, regional forums, and bilateral meetings, calling for international support.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israeli ter­ritory, and several individuals, in­cluding Joshi, were taken hostage.

With ongoing diplomatic efforts, Nepal continues to push for Joshi’s name to be included in any upcom­ing release negotiations.