Nepal Hosts Qatari Emir, Eyes Stronger Ties, Worker Protections

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, embarked on a state visit to Nepal, arriving on Tuesday for a two-day engagement aimed at deepening ties between the two nations. He was greeted with full state honors by Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Poudel, including a guard of honor at the airport.

The emir’s itinerary includes pivotal discussions with Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, where they are signing several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding. These documents are expected to address a range of issues, with a significant focus likely on the labor rights of the roughly 400,000 Nepali workers residing in Qatar. These workers form part of the extensive labor force that supports Qatar’s infrastructure projects and its service sector.

Qatar’s relationship with Nepal has historically centered on labor and economic cooperation, with Qatar being one of the top destinations for Nepali migrant workers seeking employment abroad. This relationship has necessitated discussions around labor rights and the welfare of Nepali citizens abroad.

Before visiting Nepal, the emir was in Bangladesh, where he looked to reinforce Qatar’s diplomatic and economic ties with another key South Asian nation. Qatar’s interactions with Bangladesh are similarly economically driven, with a substantial number of Bangladeshi workers in Qatar and shared interests in sectors like energy and investment.

The visits to Nepal and Bangladesh underscore Qatar’s strategic interests in strengthening relationships within the region, reflecting its broader foreign policy goals of enhancing bilateral partnerships across Asia.