Nepal, Australia Discuss Stronger Bilateral Ties; Canberra Announces AUD 15 Million Flood Aid

Foreign Affairs Minister Shisir Khanal held bilateral talks with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong in Melbourne, focusing on strengthening Nepal-Australia relations and expanding cooperation across several areas of mutual interest.

According to a press release issued by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers reviewed the overall state of bilateral relations and discussed a wide range of issues of common interest. They expressed satisfaction with the longstanding and cordial ties between Nepal and Australia, which are based on shared democratic values, mutual respect and strong people-to-people connections.

Minister Wong expressed condolences to the families and communities affected by the recent devastating floods in Nepal and reaffirmed Australia’s solidarity with Nepal during its recovery and reconstruction efforts.

During the meeting, Wong announced an additional AUD 15 million in Australian assistance for relief and early recovery efforts. The new assistance comes on top of the AUD 11 million previously committed by Australia for emergency response operations.

Minister Khanal thanked the Australian Government and people for their timely and generous humanitarian support, saying the assistance demonstrated the longstanding goodwill and solidarity between the two countries.

The two ministers also discussed climate change and Nepal’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Khanal called on Australia to use its international leadership, including its upcoming COP31 co-presidency, to draw greater attention to the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

He also stressed the need for stronger bilateral cooperation in climate adaptation, early warning systems, disaster preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Education was another key area discussed during the meeting. The two sides explored opportunities to expand educational cooperation, including the possibility of establishing **Australian-accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes) in Nepal.

Khanal highlighted the contribution of Nepali students and the wider Nepali diaspora to Australia’s multicultural society and economy. He also requested favourable consideration for Nepali students under Australia’s recent student visa policy changes.
The ministers discussed ways to further broaden bilateral economic cooperation, with particular attention to trade, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism and labour mobility.

The establishment of direct air connectivity between Nepal and Australia was also identified as an important area for cooperation, which could support tourism, business links and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Minister Wong reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to further strengthening its partnership with Nepal and welcomed continued cooperation across the identified priority areas.

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain regular high-level engagements and work together to translate the understandings reached into concrete outcomes for the mutual benefit of Nepal and Australia.