Israel–Nepal relations refer to the bilateral ties between the State of Israel and Nepal. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 1 June 1960, making Nepal the third country in South Asia to recognize Israel behind Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and India, and the first South Asian state to establish full bilateral ties with it.
B. P. Koirala, the prime minister of Nepal from 1959 to 1960, had a strong pro-Israel foreign policy. Various Nepalese political figures, including the king (formerly), heads of government and state, and ministers have all since visited Israel and continued his foreign policy. With the exception of a nine-month-long period of Maoist rule, all Nepalese governments have generally pursued close bilateral relations with Israel.
History
Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel were established on 1 June 1960. Since the establishment of ties, Nepal has supported Israel internationally. Israel opened its embassy in Kathmandu in March 1961. The Nepalese Ambassador to Egypt was at first accredited to Israel. Nepal also opened the Nepalese honorary consulate general in Israel in 1993 and embassy in 2007. The current Nepalese Ambassador to Israel is Baija Nath Thapalia, who presented his credentials to President Peres on March 19, 2008.
Nepal has maintained support for the right of Israel to exist within secure and internationally recognized boundaries. Nepal voted in favor of Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which upheld the right of all the states in the region to live in peace. Nepal has also welcomed every initiative from whatever quarter that seeks to resolve the Middle East problems like the Camp David Accords signed between Egypt and Israel in 1978 and the renewed peace process sponsored time to time by countries like the USA.
In 1975, the United Nations General Assembly passed an Arab-sponsored resolution (3379) that equated Zionism with racism and racial discrimination. Nepal expressed its reservation throughout the discussions on the issue and did not support the resolution. In the context of renewed peace in West Asia, the United States took the initiative to introduce a draft resolution to repeal resolution 3379 of 1975 in the 46th Session of the UNGA. A large majority adopted the draft resolution. Nepal voted in favor of the resolution. Israel, the US, and the Western Countries appreciated Nepal's support for the resolution.
Nepal welcomed the historic accord signed between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organization on 13 September 1993 in Washington, D.C., on autonomy for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank Town of Jericho and also the agreement signed on 10 September 1993 on mutual recognition to each other. Former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala sent letters of appreciation to Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, and Yasser Arafat, President and PLO Chairman, for this courageous decision taken by them and expressed hope that this would be instrumental in establishing peace, order, and stability in West Asia.
Nepal welcomed the ceasefire announced after a summit held between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Leader Mahmud Abbas in Egypt on February 8, 2005, to end four years of bloodshed.
Nepal opened its embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel on 13 August 2007.
Receiving the credentials of the Nepalese ambassador to Israel, Kanta Rizal, in August 2022, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his desire to boost Israeli-Nepalese cooperation, highlighting agriculture, tourism, and innovation as core issues.
After the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, Israel was one of the first to send aid to Nepal. Israel sent a delegation of 264 people for Search & Rescue missions, and over 95 tons of equipment, including a field hospital.
In 2023, 17 Nepalese were taken hostage by Hamas.
Economic Cooperation
Israel and Nepal have progressing economic ties. Israel has been helping Nepal in the fields of technical specialties and Nepal has been supplying manpower to Israel. The chamber of commerce of both nations have trade links as well. The Israel-Nepal Chamber of Commerce is part of the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce and is headed by Anat Bernstein-Reich and Raviv Byron. The Nepal-Israel Chamber of Commerce based in Kathmandu was established in 2020 and a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration was signed between the two sister chambers.