NEW DELHI: Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko concluded her visit to Nepal on Sunday after a day of high-level engagements.

The two leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relations and cooperation so far and discussed the whole gamut of bilateral relations to elevate economic and development cooperation as well as cultural and people-to-people relations in the days to come, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The two leaders held discussion on enhancing support and cooperation in Nepal’s major developmental priorities including agriculture, hydro-power, infrastructure development, connectivity, export promotion, industrial production, foreign investment and tourism sectors, among others.

The matters discussed during the meeting included the role of Japan’s experience, knowledge, skill, and technology in multiple sectors such as industrial development, agriculture, hydroelectricity, and infrastructure development in Nepal. Japan’s assistance in Nepal’s flagship programme to launch tunnel technology in developing road infrastructures was also featured during the discussion.

Both sides also discussed matters relating to enhancing cooperation between two countries at bilateral, regional as well as multilateral levels in the areas of mutual interest, the foreign ministry said. 

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Foreign Minister Shrestha said discussions were held on strengthening the bilateral relations and enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko (left) meets her Nepali counterpart Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha.  

“Various international issues were also discussed between the two delegations,” said Minister Shrestha.

He said no agreement or memorandum of understanding was signed as it was a goodwill visit.

The Japanese minister then called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

They discussed various issues of bilateral interests and economic cooperation during the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar, according to Rupak Sapkota, foreign affairs adviser to the prime minister.

Prime Minister Dahal said the Japanese government has been consistently supporting Nepal’s economic and social development since the establishment of diplomatic ties and expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its contribution to Nepal’s infrastructure and socio-economic sectors.

“The high-level visit between Nepal and Japan will further strengthen diplomatic relations,” the prime minister’s secretariat quoted Dahal as saying at the meeting. “I am confident such visits will take place in the coming days.”

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa said the bilateral ties have always been cordial and stressed the need to further strengthen the relations, according to the prime minister’s secretariat.

She expressed her commitment that the Japanese government will always support Nepal in achieving the goals of economic development.

The Japanese minister then called on President Ramchandra Paudel at the Office of the President before wrapping up her Nepal visit.

During the meeting, President Paudel stressed that Nepal was concerned about preserving the Himalayas and water sources.

The President urged developed nations to show greater sensitivity towards reducing the impacts of climate change, according to Kiran Pokharel, press adviser to the President.

President Paudel emphasised the enduring cultural ties between Nepal and Japan, tracing back to the time of Gautam Buddha. He highlighted the consistent harmony in the relationship between the two nations, noting that Nepal and Japan have historically maintained trouble-free ties.

Expressing Japan’s significance as a crucial and dependable partner in Nepal's socioeconomic development, the President conveyed his confidence in the continued expansion of cooperation and assistance between the two nations.

Similarly, the President underscored the importance of prioritising the expansion of people-to-people relations.

On the occasion, Japanese Minister Kamikawa said Japan expressed her concern about the impacts of climate change stressing that all should collaborate to protect the mountains of Nepal and other countries. The Japanese Minister assured the President that Japan would extend every possible support to Nepal.

Kamikawa visited Nepal at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shrestha. She is the fourth Japanese foreign minister to come to Nepal since the two countries established diplomatic relations in September 1956.