UK and Nepal Mark 100 Years of Friendship with High-Stakes Talks in London
The sixth UK-Nepal Bilateral Consultative Mechanism took place against the backdrop of the 100th anniversary of the landmark 1923 UK-Nepal Treaty of Friendship. The event showcased the enduring historic ties and reinforced today’s thriving partnership between the two nations.
Historic Heartbeat: UK-Nepal Talks in London
On 26 April 2023, senior officials from both countries gathered in London for the latest Bilateral Consultative Mechanism meeting. This key platform allows top diplomats to review current cooperation and map out future collaboration. The event was officially opened by Permanent Secretaries and co-chaired by Ben Mellor, Director of the FCDO’s India and Indian Ocean Directorate.
Fresh Commitments on Trade, Climate, and Defence
Delegates discussed a wide range of topics. Highlights included boosting bilateral trade and investment, tackling climate change together, and strengthening defence ties — especially collaboration involving the famed Gurkha soldiers. Both sides pledged to deepen their work on regional and global issues, focusing on shared values and mutual interests.
Top Brass Weigh In: Ministers and Secretaries Highlight Partnership
The FCDO’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, delivered a keynote at a British Library event celebrating the treaty centenary. She praised the robust UK-Nepal relationship, referencing her recent visit to Nepal. Meanwhile, FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Phillip Barton met Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Paudyal to discuss the future of this close alliance.
