Indonesia–Nepal relations

Indonesian–Nepalese relations

Indonesia	Nepal

Indonesia and Nepal established diplomatic relations in 1960. Neither country has a resident ambassador. Indonesia has only established an honorary consulate in Kathmandu, while its embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is also accredited to Nepal. Nepal has accredited its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, also to Indonesia. Both nations are partners and founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

History

Nepal and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 25 December 1960. Indonesia had opened its embassy in Kathmandu in 1965 which was closed in 1967, citing their adherence to austerity measures. In April 2010, Indonesia opened its honorary consulate in Kathmandu. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Dhaka is accredited to Nepal whereas the Nepalese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is accredited to Indonesia.^[1][2]

Both Nepal and Indonesia are founding member of NAM. Nepal was a participant in Bandung Conference of 1955 which paved the way for formation of NAM. Long-standing relations between Nepal and Indonesia date back to the time of the Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung in 1955.

Stately visits

Mochtar Kusumaatadja, Foreign Minister of Indonesia, visited Nepal in 1981 to attend the coronation of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev representing the President of Indonesia. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala visited Indonesia in 1992 to attend the 10th NAM summit. The then King Gyanendra and Queen Komal visited Indonesia on April 20–23, 2005, to attend the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shreshta 'Prakash' visited Indonesia from 6 to 10 November 2012 to participate in the Bali Democracy Forum V, 2012.^[1]

Culture and education

Indonesia has been providing scholarship to Nepalese student in various fields.^[1] Due to the similarity of culture and tourist interest, Indonesia proposes for a sister city relation between Bali and Kathmandu, and that they would be happy to share the large inflow of tourists visiting Bali with Kathmandu once there is direct airlink between the two countries.^[3]

Economy and trade

The figure of trade volume between the two countries reached US$14 million, which is heavily in favor of Indonesia. From Indonesia, Nepal mainly imports food product such as fruits, nuts and palm oil, also paper and paper board, and chemical. The two countries have potential that is yet to be explored, especially in trade and tourism sectors, also social and cultural exchanges.^[4]

See also

• Foreign relations of Indonesia
• Foreign relations of Nepal

References

1. "Nepal-Indonesia Relations". Government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
2. "Nepali Missions with Concurrent Accreditation". Government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
3. "Indonesian envoy calls on PM Khanal". The Himalayan Times. 2011-06-14. Retrieved 7 June 2013.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
4. "Dhakal appointed as Honorary Consul of Indonesia to Nepal". Nepal News.com. 25 April 2010. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.