Nepal-UK Relations


Bilateral Relations

Nepal established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in 1816.  Treaty of Friendship between Great Britain and Nepal was signed in 1923 which further formalised relations between the two countries. Ever since the establishment of their diplomatic relations, friendship, mutual understanding, cordiality, cooperation and respect for each other’s national interests and aspirations have characterized relationship between the two countries. The United Kingdom is also the first country in the world with which Nepal had established diplomatic relations. The United Kingdom is the first country in the world which established its Embassy in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This is the country where Nepal had established its first diplomatic mission (Legation). Nepal had established its legation in London in 1934, which was the first Nepalese diplomatic mission established at the foreign country. It was elevated to the Ambassador level in 1947 A.D.

The UK remained one of the top development partners of Nepal with the annual British aid on an increasing trend. Tourism, trade, education, and the British Gurkha connection remained the key dimensions of the bilateral relations.

Since then, relations between the two countries have continued to grow, with a new Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship signed in 1950 which expanded areas of cooperation and an exchange of State Visits. Amicable relations continue today; Nepal continues to be the source of recruitment of Gurkha soldiers into the British army – a tradition dating back to the nineteenth century but still an essential part of Britain’s modern army – and the United Kingdom remains one of the most significant providers of development assistance to Nepal.

As one of Great Britain’s allies during the two world wars, Nepalese soldiers in hundreds of thousands fought and sacrificed their lives in many battlefields of the world, thus leaving a heritage of deep and sincere friendship in the history of two countries. The Gurkha soldiers are the most visible bridge between Nepal and the United Kingdom. It is to state that the Gurkhas’ service in the British army started on April 24, 1815, which is continuing till the date spanning over more than two hundred years. The solid foundation of the relationship is built on the history of service, sacrifice and bravery of these Gurkha soldiers.

Nepal and the United Kingdom are celebrating the bicentenary of bilateral relations between the two countries .To mark the 200th year of the beginning of the official contacts between the two countries in 1816, a number of programs and events from both sides have been organized in 2016-2017.

Diplomatic Dealings/Exchange of visits

Exchange of visits at different levels and periodic consultations between the two sides have played a major role in further promoting the bilateral relations.

Visit to Nepal from UK Side

Date and TimeDignitaries visited in a capacity ofContent of the meeting
19-22 February 2019Minister of State for the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Mr. Mark Lancaster MP fromOfficial visit
20-24 May 2019Minister of State for the International Development of the Government of the United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Baroness SuggOfficial visit
first week of February 2019Major General of the British Army, Mr. Duncan CappsOfficial visit
9-13 February 2018A delegation led by Minister of State for the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Mr.Mark LancasterOfficial visit
6-8 May 2018Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific of the United Kingdom, Rt. Hon. Mr. Mark FieldOfficial visit
6-12 May 2018A delegation of British Group Inter-parliamentary Union (BGIPU) led by Rt.Hon. Mr. Nigel EvansOfficial visit
7-12 February 2018 and 4-8 February 2017Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, General Sir Nicholas CarterOfficial visit
21-25 January 2017Lord Mayor of the City of London, Rt. Hon. Dr. Andrew ParmleyCourtesy visit
02 September 2016International Development Minister Rt. Hon. Mr. Rory StewartBilateral meeting
07-09 June 2016Foreign &Commonwealth Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Simon McDonald and the UK Department for International Development’s (DFID) Permanent Secretary Mr. Mark LowcockBilateral meeting
19-28 March 2016His Royal Highness UK Prince Henry of Wales HarryBicentenary celebrations
27-28 August 2015British Minister of State for Department of International Development Rt. Hon.Mr. Desmond Swayne
19 May 2015The Secretary of State for International Development, Rt. Hon. Justine Greening and DFID Director General, Mr. Joy HutcheonTo assist support
18-20 February 2015Minister for International Development Rt. Hon. Desmond SwayneDFID Bilateral
14-19 September 2014Minister of State the Department for International Development Rt. Hon. Alan Duncan Rt. Hon Sir John Stanley MP (Conservative), Jackie Doyle-Price MP (Conservative), Kerry McCarthy MP (Labour), Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat) and Virendra Sharma (Labour)Bilateral Parliamentary visit
November 2012The Chief of Army Staff UK Sir Peter WallOfficial and Bilateral meeting
26 -28 June 2012 and 03-06 February 2014The Rt. Hon. Mr. Alan Duncan, MP State Minister for International Development
2-4 June 2014British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt. Hon. Mr. Hugo Swire
2930 May 2012The permanent Undersecretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service Mr. Simon Fraser
17-19 January 2012The secretary of the state for International development, Mr. Andrew Mitchell
26 -28 May 2010UK Minister of State for International Development Rt. Hon. Mr. Alan Duncan
April 2009 Rt. Hon. Mr. Kevan Jones MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans
24-27 November 2008UK Minister for International Development (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development), Michael Foster MP
July 18-19, 2008Rt. Hon. Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, FCO Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN
19-24 March 2006Rt. Hon. Sir John Stanley, Member of British ParliamentOfficial visit
28-30 July 2004 and2-4 April 2007 Rt. Hon. Mr. Gareth Thomas, British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (PUSS) for Department for International Development
1-6 November 2003Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mike Jackson
24 Feb 2003- 04 May 2005Sir Jeffrey James, Special Representative of UK to Nepal visited many timesPolitical mission
19-23 February 2003Rt.Hon. Mr.  Richard Spring, Shadow Minister for Foreign AffairsOfficial visit and Bilateral meeting
10-12 February 2003Mr. Tom Phillips, Director for South Asia of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3-6 February 2003Mr. John Stephen Smith, Head of South Asia Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
6-7 December 2002Permanent Under Secretary of State(British Foreign Secretary) Sir Michael Jay
23-26 Nov 2002Dr. Rosalind Marsden, Director for South Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
9-11 October 2002Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Rt. Hon. Mr. Mike O’Brien
24-28 May 2002Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Michael Boyce
19-20 Feb 2002 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Rt. Hon. Mr.Ben Bradshaw
13-15 Dec 2000Secretary of State for Defence Rt. Hon. Mr. Geoffrey Hoon
23-29 Nov 2000Her Royal Highness Princess AnnePrivate visit
14-17 Nov 2000His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrivate visit /WWF
20-21 April 2000Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Rt. Hon. Mr. Robin CookOfficial visit and Bilateral meeting
12-17 November 998Secretary of State for International Development Hon. Clare Short
6-9 February 1998His Royal Highness Prince Charles
1996 AugustChairman of the Anglo-Nepal Parliamentary Group Sir John Stanley
23-26 August 1996British parliamentary Under Secretary for State, Foreign and Commonwealth office  Rt. Hon. Mr. Liam Fox
1994Speaker of the British House of Commons Rt. Hon.Betty Boothroyd
7-10 October 1993Chief of the General Staff General Sir Peter Inge
2-6 March 1993Diana, late Princess of WalesDFID Projects
1960 and February 1986Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghState Visit

 

Visit to UK from Nepalese Side

Date and Time Dignitaries visited in a capacity ofContent of the meeting
10-12 June 2019Prime Minister Right Honourable Mr. K. P. Sharma OliPaid an official visit to the United Kingdom
30 June to 5 July 2019 Led by the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament of Nepal; Hon. Bharat Kumar ShahAn official delegation visit
3-7 June 2019An official delegation of Industry, Commerce, Labour and Consumer Welfare Committee of the House of Representatives, led by its Chairperson, Hon. Bimal Prasad SriwastabAn official delegation visit
27 March to 2 April 2019An official delegation of Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee of the House of Representatives, led by its Chairperson, Hon. Purna Kumari SubediAn official delegation visit
24 February to 1st March 2019An official parliamentary delegation consisting the members from the National Assembly, House of the Representatives and Provincial Assembly of Nepal, Hon. Dinanath Sharma, Hon. Dr. Minendra Rijal, Hon. Mrs. Chitralekha Yadav, Hon. Khimlal Devkota and Hon. Asta Laxmi ShakyaAn official delegation visit
20-23 February 2019Minister for Finance of the Government of Nepal, Hon. Dr. Yuba Raj KhatiwadaOfficial visit
28th December 2018 to 3rd January 2019Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning of Gandaki Province, Hon. Kiran GurungVisit
12-17 November 2018An official delegation led by Foreign Secretary Mr. Shanker D.BairagiOfficial visit
15-20 November 2018Former Prime Minister, Hon. Mr. Madhav Kumar NepalInformal visit
7-10 November 2018Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal, Hon. Dr. Shiva Maya TumbahangpheOfficial visit
7-14 October 2018An official delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Hon. Upendra YadavOfficial visit
10-14 October 2018An official delegation led by Minister for Forest and Environment, Hon. Shakti Bahadur BasnetOfficial visit
27 September to 4 October 2017A delegation led by Rt. Hon. Chief Justice Mr. Gopal Prasad ParajuliOfficial visit
7-11 September 2017Defence Minister Hon. Bhimsen Das PradhanOfficial visit
13-20 October 2017A delegation led by Hon. Bhisma Raj Aangdembey, Chairman of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Committee of the Legislature- Parliament of NepalStudy visit
4-9 October 2017A delegation led by Auditor General of Nepal, Mr. Tankamani SharmaOfficial visit
12-14 September 2017Hon. Arzu Rana Deuba, Member of ParliamentVisit
14-20 September 2017Hon. Mr. N.P. Saud,Hon. Mr.Bahadur Singh Thapa, Hon. Mr.Karna Bahadur Thapa and Hon. Mr. Ram Narayan Bidari, Members of ParliamentVisit
4-9 June 2018Hon. Mr. PadamGiri and Hon. Mr.Lalkaji Gurung, members of the House of Representatives of NepalVisit
20-25 January 2018Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr.Chiranjibi NepalVisit
10-15 September 2017Defence Secretary, Mr.Shreedhar SapkotaVisit
4-13 November 2017Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr.Maheshwor NeupaneVisit
10-14 July 2017Gen. Rajendra Chhetri, Chief of the Army StaffOfficial visit
3-7 July 2017 A delegation led by Mr. Him Lal Subedi, Secretary of the Legislature-Parliament of NepalStudy visit
25th June to 4th July 2017Official delegation led by Mr. Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local DevelopmentVisit
17-22 June 2017Official delegation from Public Service Commission led by Chairman, Hon. Mr. Umesh Prasad MainaliVisit
3-7 May 2017Official delegation led by Justice of Supreme Court of Nepal, Hon. Mr. Devendra Gopal ShresthaVisit
5-7 May 2017Minister of State for for Agriculture of Nepal, Hon. Mrs. Radhika TamangVisit
18-24 March 2017Minister for Industry of Nepal, Hon. Mr. Nabindra Raj JoshiVisit
18-24 March 2017Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Mr. Narayan Kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash’Visit
22-27 January 2017 Hon. Dhani Ram Poudel, Education MinisterParticipated at Education conference
11-14 December 2016Hon. Om Prakash Mishra, Justice, Supreme Court of NepalBilateral meeting and study visit
10-13 December 2016Hon. Dr. Ganesh Kumar Mandal, Member of Parliament of Nepalparticipated at Road Safety Legislator Workshop
05-13 November 2016 Hon. Jeeban Bahadur Shahi, Minister for  Culture, Tourism and Civil AviationParticipated at the World Tourism Market in London
10-14 October 2016 Chief Secretary Mr. Somlal SubediParticipated in the International Conference on Shaping Business Environments for Global Growth and Prosperity
26-28 April 2016Hon.DPM and Foreign Minister Mr. Kamal ThapaBilateral meeting
17-23 April 2016Rt. Hon. Speaker of Legislature Parliament Mrs. Onsari GhartimagarBilateral meeting
15-19 December 2015Hon.DPM and Foreign Minister Mr. Kamal ThapaCommemorate the bicentennial of the Nepal-UK relations
17 December 2015Joint Secretary Mr. Prakash Kumar SubediSecond meeting of bilateral consultation mechanism
28 Feb. to 05 March 2010.Hon. Minister of Home Affairs  Mr. Bhim Bahadur RawalOfficial visit and Bilateral meeting
27 June to 02 July 2008Hon.  Ms. Pampha Bhusal, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare
June 22-28, 2008Rt. Hon. Chief Justice Mr. Kedar Prasad Giri
 August 27 to 7 Sep 2003HM King Gyanendra Bir Bikram ShahVisited in connection with medical check-up at Cromwell Hospital
17-22 May 2003Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Pyar Jung ThapaOfficial visit
19-20 June 2002Member of National Planning Commission Dr. Shankar SharmaAttended International Conference on Nepal organised by UK Government
10-13 November 1996 and 12-14 May 2002Rt. Hon.Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur DeubaOfficial Visit
7-11 April 2002HRH Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram ShahAttended the funeral of Queen Mother Elizabeth I
7-8 April 2002Acting Foreign Secretary Mr. Madhu Raman AcharyaOfficial visit
21-23 February 1995 and 28Jan-2 Feb 2002DPM and Foreign Minister Mr. Madhab Kumar Nepal
28 Jan to 2 Feb 2002Chairman of Public Account Committee Hon. Mr. Subash NembangStudy tour
1-7 July 2001Chief of Staff of Nepal Army Gen. Prajwalla SJB RanaOfficial visit
May 2000Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives  Hon. Mrs. Chitra Lekha YadavStudy tour
24-29 October 1999Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Mr. Tara Nath RanabhatVisited British Parliament and Scotland
8 October 1999Rt. Hon.Prime Minister Mr. Krishna Prasad BhattaraiOfficial visit on his way back from New York
October 1999Foreign Minister Hon. Dr. Ram Sharan MahatGuest speaker at the Wilton Park Conference
June 11-17, 1997Late Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram ShahVisit
November 1995Foreign Minister Hon. Dr. Prakash Chandra LohaniOfficial visit
April 1995Rt. Hon.Prime Minister Mr. Man Mohan AdhikariAddressed a meeting at Lancaster House
Dec 1993Minister for General Administration and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Hon. Maheswar Prasad SinghStudy British administration and parliamentary system
6-13 June 1993Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Mr. Daman Nath DhunganaStudy of British Parliamentary proceedings
1980 and May 1995HM Late King Birendra Bir Bikram ShahVisited in 1995 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Allies in the Second World War
October 1960HM Late King Mahendra Bir Bikram ShahState visit

Treaties/MoU/Agreements

Bilateral Consultation Mechanism

With a view to enhancing the friendly cooperation and further promoting the bilateral relations Nepal and the United Kingdom have signed a MOU on 7th January 2014. On behalf of Nepal and UK, Foreign secretary Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa and UK’s Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Simon Frazer signed the MOU for establishing the Consultation Mechanism at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London respectively. As per the MOU, both the parties will hold consultations at jointly decided intervals alternately in the capital of either country at an appropriate level as may be decided upon and hold discussion on all aspects of bilateral relations as well as on international or regional issues of mutual interest.

Finalized Agreements/MoU

  • TIFA Agreement signed in 2011.
  • An agreement on promotion and protection of investment between Nepal and UK signed on March 2, 1993
  • Development Partnership Arrangement between Nepal and UK, signed on December 2013. It supersedes the Technical cooperation agreement desiring to strengthen the traditional cooperation and cordial relation between Nepal and the UK signed on 31 May 1994.
  • Trade Agreement signed in 1965

Agreements/MoU in Progress

  • Bilateral Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation.

Economic and Technical Cooperation (Development Cooperation)

Development cooperation partnership between Nepal and the United Kingdom is one of the important aspects of the traditionally friendly relations between two countries.

The UK aid to Nepal in various fields of activities started in 1961. The United Kingdom has been offering fellowships to the Government of Nepal since 1950s. British volunteers are engaged in Nepal since 1964. These programmes have contributed to Nepal’s need for specialised and trained manpower and also have developed important links between the people of the two countries. In order to better understand and address the issues of poverty in Nepal, in April 1999 DFID established an in-country office staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of both UK nationals and staff appointed in country. DFID presence in Nepal has greatly assisted in working with Government of Nepal in the development of understanding and establishment of networks that will promote opportunities for change.

Development Partnership Arrangement to provide a transparent and mutual accountability framework between Nepal and the United Kingdom on development assistance was signed on December 2013. This arrangement supersedes the technical cooperation agreement that was signed on 31st May 1994. The assistance of British Government generally comes through the Umbrella Agreement. The first such agreement of Pound Sterling 12 million was signed on 23 September 1979 for the implementation of various projects. On 14 November 1984, second agreement was signed. In December 1988, the amount was Pound Sterling 20 million. In September 1991, the UK Government agreed to increase the grant level of 1988 by Pound Sterling 5 million. The UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) prepared an Operational Plan for Nepal during 2011-2016. This plan commits up to £413 million of UK official development assistance during the period 2011-2016. The UK has assisted Nepal in the areas of livelihoods, e.g. agriculture, forestry, transport and communications, local development; basic services, e.g. education, health, water supply and sanitation; good governance, human rights and peace building efforts.

The British aid to Nepal is channelled through Department for International Development (DFID). All bilateral aid with Nepal is on a grant basis. The DFID Nepal’s operational Plan is divided into four main areas: governance and security, inclusive wealth creation, human development (basic services including education and health), and climate change/disaster management. The British Government has been extending its assistance particularly in different socio-economic fields.

British volunteers are engaged in Nepal since 1964 under the British volunteer programme. These programme have contributed to Nepal’s need for specialized and trained manpower and also have important link between the two countries.

As per Development Cooperation Report 2014-2015 by Ministry of Finance, UK remained the top ODA provider (based on disbursement) with a total assistance of US$ 168.07 million in the Fiscal Year 2014/2015. UK disbursed following amounts in different year.

Fiscal YearActual Disbursement(Amount in USD)
2010-1192,612,422
2011-1284,240,019
2012-1389,989,120
2013-14151,135,383
2014-15168,073,845

On 16 April 2015, UK agreed to provide Financial and Technical assistance of Pound Sterling 35 million (approximately NRs. 5.21 billion) to the Government of Nepal for the implementation of Accelerating Investment and Infrastructure in Nepal Programme as per the MOU was signed between Ministry of Finance and DFID to this effect. The Programme has 3 major components namely – i) Public – Private Infrastructure Investment Promotion, ii) Economic Policy Development and Reform, and iii) Financial Sector Stability. DFID Technical Support has been instrumental in promoting foreign direct investment especially in large hydropower project through Investment Board Nepal for the last few years. This very programme has provisioned of supporting IBN to promote private investment in the country. Likewise there are provisions of continuing support to the second and third phases of Financial Sector Reform Programme of the Government initiated few years back. The program will last for six years from 2015 to 2020.

The British cooperation in the recent years has been focussed on community and rural support, planning and monitoring capacity building, financial and public management, good governance, elections and human rights, energy and climate change and peace building through the Nepal Peace Trust Fund.

Earthquake 2015

Nepal received generous support and assistance from the Government of the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the earthquake of 25 April 2015. It responded to the Nepal earthquakes immediately with the deployment of Eight Disaster Response Specialists under Rapid Response Facility and with the release of GBP5 million. The United Kingdom Government pledged USD110 million for the reconstruction and rebuilding of Nepal. Secretary of State for International Development, Rt. Hon’ble Justine Greening, MP and DFID’s Director General, Mr. Joy Hutcheon visited Nepal on 19 May 2015 to take the first-hand information on the damages caused by the earthquakes as well as to find out the effectiveness of the United Kingdom assistance to the earthquake victims. Similarly, Minister of State at the Department for International Development, Rt. Hon’ble Mr. Desmond Swayne TD MP, visited Nepal from 27-28 August 2015 for examining some of DFID’s work in the area of disaster preparedness, including the Humanitarian Goods depot at the airport and the site of emergency supplies.

Project-wise Commitment and Disbursement for Fiscal Year 2014-2015

Project TitleActual Disbursement(US Dollar)
Centre for Inclusive Growth2,844,337
Accelerating Investment and Infrastructure in Nepal62,292,186
Nepal Market Development Programme5,714,229
UK Support to increase resilience to natural disaster in Nepal10,077,441
Rural water and sanitation programme(Gurkha welfare scheme) phase V5,267,299
Multi stakeholder forestry programme10,656,355
Nepal climate change support programme(Fund of SDC also included)83,843
Nepal Peace Trust Fund(Fund of SDC&GDC also included)542,596
Supporting the Education of marginalised girls in Kailali260,012
Employment Fund Phase I (Fund of SDC also included)8,826,370
The Local Governance and Community Development Programme Phase II30,176,985
 Rural Access Program Phase III15,558,050
Nepal Health Sector Program ( Fund of GDC,IDA,Australia included)65,604,704
Nepal Family Planning Project-family planning services for excluded and vulnerable group1,915,598
ILO-DFID Partnership Program on fair recruitment and decent work for woman migrant workers in South Asia and the Middle East350,000
Sustainable sanitation and Hygiene for all338,908


Trade

Nepal and UK signed trade agreement in 1965. Despite our extensive engagements and linkages, both at the level of government and, people in the backdrop of our long-standing friendly and cooperative relations, trade and investment relations between the two countries have largely remained way below its actual potential.

Our statistics show the trade is in favour to UK. The following figures reflect Nepal’s exports to and imports from UK during the past years: (In NRS)

YearExportsImports Trade Balance
199831,8161,0001,312,644,000-994,483,000
1999521,820,0001,639,540,000-1,117,720,000
20001,192,438,0001,462,521,000-270,083,000
2001980,666,0008,227,202,000-7,846,536,000
2002808,751,0002,795,392,000-1,986,641,000
20031,070,737,0001,065,336,0005,401,000
20041,677,084,0001,035,493,000641,590,000
20051,050,,009,0001,452,168,000-402,158,000
20061,184,078,000961,421,000222,657,000
2007998,689,0001,727,103,000-728,414,000
20081,066,347,0001,643,360,000-577,013,000
20091,471,332,86710,962,627,877-9,491,295,010
20101,292,168,9472,603,242,134-1,311,073,187
20111,477,383,0072,192,260,006-714,876,999
20121,318,011,3911,786,677,499-468,666,108
20132,058,040,6972,687,625,794-629,585,097
20142,280,733,4833,000,563,645-719,830,162
20152,636,773,4241,690,054,122946,719,302
20162,650,387,0002,608,193,0042,193,000
20172,648,248,0002,564,838,00083,410,000

Nepal faces a trade deficit of 142,182,856 Rupees in the first eight month of 2016. The total export to UK stands at 1,256,018,669 Rupees while the total import stands at 1,398,201,525.  The major items of import from UK are: Motor car, vehicle, Parts of aero plane and helicopter, Whiskies, Malt not roasted, Sweets biscuits, Chocolate in blocks, slab or bar etc.

With high imbalance and elements of unpredictability, this is, of course, a typical feature of a trade relation between a developed and least developed country. It is for this reason that Nepal places high importance to directing foreign development cooperation in areas which help enhancing our productive capacity. Aid for trade is, therefore, another preferred area for us in our development cooperation.  Nepal welcomes aid for trade cooperation in its topmost priority area of infrastructure building in transportation and energy sector which has the potential of boosting the productive capacity of the country.

Major Nepalese exports to UK are Pashmina shawls, goatskin, leather goods, Nepalese paper and paper products, woollen carpets, handicrafts, ready-made garments, silverware and jewellery. Likewise, major imports from UK are copper scrap, hard drinks, cosmetics, medicine and medical equipment, textiles, copper wire rod, machinery and parts, aircraft and spare parts, scientific research equipment, office equipment and stationery.

While we continue building our trade capacity, Nepal and UK also need to encourage the businesses to benefit from the TIFA agreement which was signed in 2011. This framework encourages the businesses and investors for beneficial trade and investment in the highly potential areas of tourism, hydropower, agro-based products, herbal product, IT and technology transfer.  Nepal has also already shared with the UK side a draft text of a bilateral agreement on avoidance of double taxation in 2013.

Exchange of visits by trade delegations from Nepal and Britain has added a new dimension to the commercial relations between Nepal and Britain. Nepal-Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry is active in promoting trade and investment between Nepal and UK.

Tourism

A sizeable number of British tourists come to Nepal every year for trekking and mountaineering and other leisurely activities. The following figures indicate the annual tourist arrival from UK to Nepal for the last few years:

YearNo. of Tourists
200622708
200732367
200833658
200935382
201035091
201130091
201241294
201335668
201436759
201529730
201646295
201751058
201863086

UK is among the primary tourism generating market for Nepal. Given our historical linkages and increasing people-to-people contacts, the prospects for increasing the tourist arrival from UK in Nepal are quite promising. Keeping this fact in view, Nepal has been actively promoting Nepal as an attractive tourist destination for British public.

UK’s support and cooperation in line with our broader policy priorities will be much appreciated, especially in construction and upgradation of tourism infrastructure with focus on tourist safety. DIFID’s recent involvement and interest in tourist security, trekkers tracking, and maintenance of damaged trekking trails, including the Great Himalayan Trail, is most welcome. We encourage DIFID to increase their support in this area.

The unprecedented snow storm and avalanches triggered by cyclone Hudhud in October 2014 took lives of 43 people of various nationalities, including 21 trekkers in the popular Annapurna region. Given Nepal’s high vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change and its limited capacity in the areas of weather forecasting, it would be an appropriate area of cooperation between UK and Nepal in establishing a tourist information network integrated with tourism service providers, security agencies, emergency rescue and medical services with advanced real-time weather forecasting capabilities for the relevant government agencies.

Embassy of Nepal in London is planning to organize the many tourism promotional programme to increase the number of tourists from UK.

Consular Activities

During Fiscal Year 075/76, Embassy of Nepal in London generated £542048.72 (NRS
7,73,71,510.41) revenue.

Investment

Foreign investment commitment from UK stands at 1663 million rupees till 2013/14. The major investment is in the areas of banking, tourism, education, technology. An agreement for the promotion and protection of investment between Nepal and UK was signed on March 2, 1993.

Major investments from UK in Nepal are in the areas of banking, tourism, education, and technology. There are some British joint ventures in the areas of hotel, travel & trekking, tea production, education, garment, bio-technology and consultancy. These are significant figures, but do not reflect the true potential. We can attract much more investments from UK. For that we will continue to work with our renewed efforts towards trade diversification, taking lessons from the current unfortunate supply situation we are facing.

An agreement on promotion and protection of investment between Nepal and UK signed on 02 March 1993provides a framework to further expand cooperation in this field. In this context, the proposal for signing another agreement on avoidance of double taxation will further help boost the flow of FDI between the two countries.

There are some British joint ventures in the areas of hotel, travel & trekking, tea production, garments, biotechnology and consultancy. There are many British and Non Resident Nepalese (NRN) entrepreneurs who are still making trade and investment successes in Nepal. Standard Chartered Bank and Unilever are two major British companies who have made a huge return from their investment in Nepal in the last 20 years.

Foreign Employment and British Gurkhas

Thousands of Nepalese are working at service sectors like hospitals, university, hotels and restaurants in UK. About 200 Nepalese are recruited as Maritime Security Guards in UK. About 150,000 Nepalese are living in UK. Many Nepalese belong to Ex-Gurkha Servicemen and their families.

The Gurkhas’ service in the British army officially started on April 24, 1815 after the Treaty of Sugauli between Nepal and the British India in 1814. Nepalese soldiers were taken into the British Indian Army in large numbers. Prior to the independence of India, the recruitment of Gurkha Army was organised by way of the Tripartite Agreement of 1947 among Nepal, India and the United Kingdom. This Agreement also paved way for the distribution between India and Britain of existing Gurkha Brigades serving in the British India. Thus the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th Gurkha Rifles became part of the British Army after India gained independence while the rest were retained by independent India.

British Gurkhas is a fully integrated part of the British Armed Forces. It constitutes an important element in Nepal-Britain relations.  Over 160,000 Gurkhas were enlisted in the Gurkha Brigade and other units of the Indian Army during the First and Second World Wars. The Brigade also suffered 43,000 casualties during the Wars.  In recognition of their distinguished service, the British Gorkhas servicemen from Nepal have won 13 Victoria Crosses (VC), the highest British gallantry honour. The Government of Nepal has been making representations to the British Government at various levels to make the benefits and pensions provided to the Gurkha soldiers equitable and just, in view of their outstanding contributions.

The gradual decline of the British Empire since the end of the Second World War and the emergence of a changing pattern of global power relations, particularly in the late eighties, led the downsizing of the British Army. Since the handover of Hong Kong to China in June 1997, the strength of the Gurkhas in the British Army has been reduced to 3,500. Currently about 250 people are recruited annually into the British Army. Nepalese are working in Gurkha Brigade of British Army. There are about 27,000 pension holders, 10,000 welfare recipients and 11,000 non-pension holders.

The British Government has been providing assistance for various Gurkha Welfare Schemes being implemented in different parts of Nepal. The total British expenses to the Gurkha soldiers, serving and retired, is reported to be around Sterling Pound 50 million a year. The British Government, through 24 Area Welfare Centres (AWCs) in Nepal, administers welfare activities benefiting the retired British Gurkhas and their dependents. However, the British side closed four AWCs.

In accordance with the Tripartite Understanding of 9 November 1947 and subsequent understandings between the British Government and the Government of Nepal, welfare service is provided to both serving and former members of the British Brigade of Gurkhas through the British Gurkha Welfare Scheme (BGWS). This is an official British organisation, operating wherever Gurkhas and their families are stationed including in Nepal. It commenced active operations in Nepal in 1970 as part of British Gurkhas Nepal.

BGWS aims at relieving the poverty and hardship of those ex-servicemen and their dependents and through them, assisting in improving the living conditions for their communities. It renders aid in the form of individual aid and community aid. Those programmes range from house building and education grants to the provision of financial help.

Cultural Cooperation

British Council in Nepal is working to extend cultural relations between UK and Nepal. Similarly, Nepalese diaspora and Gurkha soldiers are visible bond who have interlinked the Nepalese culture and traditions in UK.

Education Cooperation

UK is supporting US$ 260,012 for the education of marginalised girl in Kailali district of Nepal. DFID was the core education funding agency in Nepal, supporting the foundations of education values.  Active as a School Sector Reform Plan (SSRP) pooling Development Partner.  With Education for All overall goals, the SSRP objectives were to (i) ensure access and equity in primary education; (ii) improve the efficiency and institutional capacity of primary education; and (iii) enhance the quality and relevance of basic primary education for children and illiterate adults.  Under the SSRP, it handed the responsibility of the grant management and SSRP portfolio to the European Union, which oversees the implementation of the combined DFID/EU funding under the SSRP implementation. The total commitment of DFID under the SSRP was GBP 12.5 million.  This was however terminated in 2014.

With the cooperation of UK, following achievements have been made:

  • Trained in the field 400 key state school teachers in basic teaching skills, who in turn will cascade down to some 8000 more.
  • Launched 20 new links between Nepali and UK schools, and now having 310 active school links.
  • Delivered English by radio and learn English Mobile programmes, reaching around 6000 teachers and learners of English.
  • Delivered over 42,000 exams to 31,000 candidates, mostly in the English language, A levels and accountancy.
  • Held Annual Education UK fair, in which 24 British universities took part. The fair had 3.600 visitors, many of them school and university graduates.
  • Delivered global on-line English products to thousands of Nepali citizens. That is Learn English, Teach English and Schools on line.

In 2013, DFID committed around GBP 2million to establish 810 additional girls’ toilet and water supplies/WASH facilities across 18 districts selected based on low indicators in hygiene and sanitation with an implementation date which was extended to July 2015.

The British Government has been regularly providing scholarships in different areas for the development of human resource in Nepal since 1950s. Britain is offering Chevening Award to Nepalese from many years. A lot of Nepalese students are pursuing higher level studies in the UK. British Council in Nepal is supporting for exam reform in education sector.

Nepalese students in UK

Another important aspect of our relations in the area of education is the growing attraction of UK as a preferred choice of destination for Nepalese students aspiring for further education. The number of Nepalese students pursuing university and college degrees was increasing until lately when there were major changes in UK’s immigration policy and regulations relating student visas. A large number of Nepalese students were left stranded in UK as a couple of colleges in which they were enrolled went illegal. The students who had to take loans and sell their family property to pay for the admission and tuition fees to study in those colleges had to face financial losses in addition to the loss of their precious academic years.

Nepal appreciates the initiatives of UK government in further regulating the educational institution targeted for foreign students and relevant visa regimes. Since Nepalese, wherever they live in whatever capacity, are a peace-loving, friendly and hardworking people, it is our request to the British side to consider positively and sympathetically in relation to their legal, facial and economic policies affecting them. Especially, it would help the college students a lot if they are allowed to work for certain hours in a week as provided for the foreign students in universities in UK.

Security Cooperation

UK has provided support for upgrading of Nepal Army Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC) located at Panchkhal (45 km East of Kathmandu). It has also provided Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) related Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) related Special Training to Nepal Army. UK is continually providing the special training courses to Nepal Army officials.

High level visit from Nepal Army and British Army are regularly taking place in UK and Nepal respectively.

Consular Activities

Embassy of Nepal in London involves in various consular service ranging from passports, visas, Travel Document, NRN Card, Verification, Attestation and Power of Attorney.

Ever since the commencement of the issuance of Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) on 26 December 2010, a total of 35,032 MRPs have been issued from Embassy of Nepal in London as of 31 December 2016,. During Fiscal Year 2072/73, Embassy of Nepal in London generated £846,375(Rs13,28,80,875) revenue.

Embassy of Nepal in London has made numerous milestone starting from 01 January 2017 for the effective public service delivery.

  • Same day service programme to issue visa and other consular works. Fees payments through banking system also.
  • Online registration of Nepalese and Non-Resident Nepalese, Nepalese Diaspora Organisations living in UK, Ireland, Iceland and Malta.
  • Time extension for passport, visa and consular services.
  • Adopted people first approach and service with smile to handle grievances of the clients and maximize their satisfaction.
  • Providing information through Facebook, Website, Twitter timely.
  • Service on the holiday in case of emergency.

Country Profile – UK

Official NameThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
CapitalLondon
Geography
Area243,610 sq. km2
LocationIn north Atlantic Ocean, with North sea to East
NeighbourIreland
People
Population65.1 million
Principle LanguageEnglish
Religions(Secular) Christianity followed by Islam, Hinduism
Literacy99 percent
Life expectancy79.1 for men and 82.8 for women
Government
TypeUnitary Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Head of StateElizabeth II
Head of GovernmentTheresa May
Local ProvincesEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Major Political PartiesConservative Party, Labour Party
Economy
Major IndustriesService Sector, Financial Service, Aerospace, Pharmaceutical
Chief cropsBarley, Wheat, Sugar beets, Oilseed rape
MineralsCoal, Oil, Gas, Sand and Gravel, Cement raw materials
Arable Land69 Percent
GDP£487,915 m
GDP growth rate0.5%
GNP per capita40933 US Dollar
ImportsMachinery and Transport Equipment, Manufactured Articles, Chemical Products, Mineral fuels, Lubricants etc.
ExportsServices, Car, Gold, Crude and Refined Petroleum, Medicines, Gas Turbines etc.
Major trading partnersGermany, US, China, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland
Member of Int. OrgUN, EU, Commonwealth of Nations, NATO, G7, G20, WTO, OECD, OSCE and IMF.