PM Karki, Qatari Counterpart Discuss West Asia Situation, Safety of Nepalis

Prime Minister Sushila Karki held a telephone conversation with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Thursday, March 5, regarding the evolving situation in West Asia and the safety of Nepali nationals in Qatar.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Karki thanked the Government of Qatar for ensuring the safety and protection of Nepali nationals living there.

Around 360,000 Nepalis, mostly migrant workers, are reportedly working in Qatar.

Expressing concern over recent developments in West Asia, Karki called on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation, and ensure the safety of civilians.

“She stressed that all countries must respect and adhere to the United Nations Charter, international law, the Geneva Conventions, and humanitarian law,” the secretariat said.

Earlier, Nepal had urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy.

During the conversation, Karki also expressed concern over attacks on Qatari sovereign territory, particularly in non-military areas. She expressed confidence that Qatar would address the current situation through its constructive role.

Tensions in West Asia escalated after the United States and Israel carried out attacks on Iran last Friday, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting Israel and US military assets in the region. A Nepali security guard was killed in a drone-related incident in the United Arab Emirates.

Millions of South Asian nationals live and work across West Asia. Around two million Nepalis are estimated to be employed in the region.

During the call, Al-Thani praised the friendly and longstanding relations between Nepal and Qatar, added the secretariat. He acknowledged the contribution of Nepali citizens to Qatar’s development and assured that the government would provide them security and protection equal to that of Qatari nationals in the current situation.

Describing the present developments as unfortunate, he said Qatar’s actions were aimed solely at safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and ensuring self-defence. He added that Qatar has always been a champion of peace and opposed such acts.

Al-Thani also thanked Nepal for its friendship and solidarity during the difficult period.

Expressing hope that the situation would stabilise soon, he emphasised the need to further strengthen and expand bilateral relations between the two countries.