New York [US], Sept 22 – Nepal and Bhutan have agreed to explore opportunities to deepen bilateral ties including through greater cooperation in trade, aviation and other areas of mutual interest, during a meeting between their foreign and prime ministers in New York.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Tobgay said in a Facebook post that he conveyed Bhutan’s condolences to the Nepal government and people over the loss of lives and widespread devastation caused by the recent floods. He said the grief was shared by the people of Bhutan and felt particularly deeply by Bhutan’s King.
Tobgay also reaffirmed Bhutan’s solidarity with Nepal and extended his wishes for the recovery and rebuilding of affected communities.
Khanal thanked the Bhutanese King and the Royal Government of Bhutan for the support extended immediately after the floods, which he said was deeply appreciated by the Nepal government and people, according to Tobgay’s post.
The two sides also discussed bilateral issues and ways to further strengthen relations between Nepal and Bhutan.
According to Khanal’s private secretariat, the meeting also addressed the growing frequency and intensity of disasters caused by climate change. Both sides underlined the need to strengthen cooperation on climate action, noting that Nepal and Bhutan are both mountain countries.
The meeting also covered opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, aviation and other areas of mutual interest, according to the Bhutanese prime minister.
