As shut neighbors, Nepal and Bangladesh share a bond based mostly on mutual belief and tempered by time. This relationship might be described when it comes to three main drivers: spirit of fine neighborliness, financial partnership, and people-to-people and cultural bonds. These are the enduring bonds binding our two international locations. On the primary and third drivers, vital progress has been made. The 2 governments, the 2 international locations, and the 2 peoples share a real spirit of friendship and good neighborliness starting from the very best political ranges all the way down to the grassroots, and have constantly stood by one another in instances of want.
Following the current flash floods in Nepal, the Authorities and the folks of Bangladesh stood with Nepal. Monetary help of USD 1 million arrived from the Authorities of Bangladesh, alongside an outpouring of solidarity from the Bangladeshi folks. So far, near BDT 28 million has been contributed by Bangladeshi mates by the Embassy’s devoted account . This can be a clear token of large help and solidarity. No friendship or relationship might be measured purely in monetary phrases, however the fixed outreach from Bangladeshi mates, establishments, and businesses keen to help flood victims exemplifies this bond.
Over the previous 4 years as Ambassador, my prime precedence has been revitalizing bilateral devices, mechanisms, and institutional platforms. Authorities mechanisms throughout international affairs, vitality, commerce, agriculture, and water sources, amongst others, have been revitalized, with common conferences happening. Fixed dialogue and follow-up are important for any embassy to take inventory of progress and tackle pending points. Equally necessary, past government-to-government channels, sturdy networks have been cast between instructional establishments, suppose tanks, and analysis our bodies. Common high-level visits and sustained interactions stay indispensable for neighborhood diplomacy.
On people-to-people ties and tourism, roughly 60,000 Bangladeshi vacationers visited Nepal in 2025. Bangladesh stays one of many premier supply markets for Nepal’s tourism sector, and this upward pattern continues. The move is mutual, as growing numbers of Nepalis are additionally visiting Bangladesh. Round 2,500 Nepali college students are at the moment finding out in Bangladesh, primarily in medical sciences, a longstanding custom that has endured for many years.
A notable milestone in current months is the announcement of a bilateral T20 worldwide cricket collection between the 2 nations. For cricket lovers, this may resonate strongly: Bangladesh is a full ICC Check-playing nation, whereas Nepal is an rising affiliate member working arduous to construct its standing. Bringing this about was a private precedence upon arriving in Bangladesh, and, in a method, it stands as a capstone of my task in Dhaka. A 3-match T20I bilateral collection will happen in Kathmandu in March 2027.
Nevertheless, alongside these political, cultural, instructional, and sporting connections, it should be stated plainly: there may be nonetheless an extended method to go on the financial partnership entrance.
The historic graduation of cross-border hydropower commerce between the 2 international locations, the primary trilateral association of its sort within the sub-region involving Nepal, Bangladesh, and India, is a proud, watershed achievement. Whereas the preliminary quantity is modest, its symbolic and sensible significance is immense, laying the muse for expanded vitality commerce and regional financial integration.
Bilateral commerce is growing modestly, and funding hyperlinks are increasing, however substantial work stays in commerce facilitation, funding, and bodily connectivity. Available alternatives in vitality, tourism, schooling, and sports activities must be capitalized on, alongside structural priorities.
A central focus for NEF and CPD should be offering concrete suggestions on enhancing financial partnership, together with pratical steps to conclude a mutually helpful preferential commerce settlement. Whereas the principle textual content has been finalized, concluding the product lists and guidelines of origin requires expedited progress. Equally, the Double Tax Avoidance Settlement concluded in 2019 laid the groundwork for reciprocal funding, and suggestions from the Bangladesh aspect is now awaited on the proposed Bilateral Funding Settlement (BIA).
We should notice that the options to regional issues lie inside the area and sub-region itself. This underscores why platforms like SAARC BIMSTEC, and BBIN stay important. Whereas SAARC awaits revitalization, BIMSTEC offers a discussion board the place the international locations are negotiating frameworks throughout commerce, funding, , tourism, commerce, and local weather change. These efforts, notably round enhancing commerce and funding hyperlinks and joint tourism circuits, should be accelerated.
Lastly, I want to underline two vital points. First is local weather change. Contemplating current disasters, local weather change mustn’t stay confined to PowerPoint displays and convention discussions. It requires actionable measures that impression lives. The Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal are organically linked; local weather occasions within the mountains reverberate instantly all the way down to coastal and riverine communities. Communities residing on the water’s edge face inherent vulnerabilities, requiring shut collaboration to construct shared resilience. Second is LDC commencement. Graduating from Least Developed Nation standing stays a defining milestone in each international locations’ growth journeys. UN ECOSOC submitted its suggestions following its July 21 assembly, and the problem is predicted to be thought-about bythe UN Normal Meeting plenary session earlier than November 2026. Each Nepal and Bangladesh have formally requested a three-year deferral, and shut coordination of diplomatic efforts on the United Nations stays important.
On regional and multilateral phases, Nepal and Bangladesh constantly discover themselves aligned, sharing similar aspirations and considerations. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the nearer two nations and their folks develop into, the upper the mutual expectations shall be. Translating these excessive expectations into tangible realities stays a collective accountability.
The joint initiative by CPD and NEF is an important step ahead, one that ought to produce an actionable, substantive report back to information each governments, establishments, and residents in taking Nepal–Bangladesh relations to new heights.
