During a two-day visit to Nepal, the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, met with Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel in Katmandu. President Poudel appealed to Al-Thani to assist in the release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student held captive by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Joshi was among 17 Nepali students studying agriculture near the Gaza Strip when Hamas attacked Southern Israel on Oct. 7. While 10 students lost their lives and six sustained injuries, Joshi was abducted and taken to Gaza. Despite uncertainties about his condition and whereabouts, Nepali officials remain hopeful of his safety.
Qatar, a key intermediary in the conflict, has been pivotal in negotiating ceasefires and hostage releases. The Gulf State, along with the US and Egypt, facilitated a brief halt to fighting in November, leading to the release of numerous hostages.
During discussions, the emir also addressed concerns regarding the estimated 400,000 Nepali migrant workers in Qatar, predominantly engaged in construction and manual labor. Issues surrounding extreme heat, inadequate living conditions, and abuse have prompted calls for enhanced labor protections, including from Human Rights Watch.
Al Thani assured plans for programs aimed at diversifying employment opportunities for Nepali workers, alongside cooperation with Nepal in various sectors, including hydropower, food production, agriculture, and tourism. The emir's visit to Katmandu concludes his tour, which included stops in Bangladesh and the Philippines, before returning home.
Joshi was among 17 Nepali students studying agriculture near the Gaza Strip when Hamas attacked Southern Israel on Oct. 7. While 10 students lost their lives and six sustained injuries, Joshi was abducted and taken to Gaza. Despite uncertainties about his condition and whereabouts, Nepali officials remain hopeful of his safety.
Qatar, a key intermediary in the conflict, has been pivotal in negotiating ceasefires and hostage releases. The Gulf State, along with the US and Egypt, facilitated a brief halt to fighting in November, leading to the release of numerous hostages.
During discussions, the emir also addressed concerns regarding the estimated 400,000 Nepali migrant workers in Qatar, predominantly engaged in construction and manual labor. Issues surrounding extreme heat, inadequate living conditions, and abuse have prompted calls for enhanced labor protections, including from Human Rights Watch.
Al Thani assured plans for programs aimed at diversifying employment opportunities for Nepali workers, alongside cooperation with Nepal in various sectors, including hydropower, food production, agriculture, and tourism. The emir's visit to Katmandu concludes his tour, which included stops in Bangladesh and the Philippines, before returning home.
