Qatari Emir Al Thani arrives in Kathmandu on two-day state visit (With photos)

KATHMANDU: The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day state visit to Nepal on Tuesday. He arrived in Kathmandu at the friendly invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel.

He landed here at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) this afternoon.

Upon arrival at TIA, President Paudel welcomed him at the VVIP lounge.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha had reached TIA to receive the distinguished guest from Qatar.

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, members of the Council of Ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu were at the TIA to welcome the Qatari Emir.

The Qatari Emir arrived here this afternoon on a special plane upon completion of his state visit to Bangladesh.

A contingent of the Nepali Army presented a guard of honor and fired 21 cannon salvoes, welcoming the visiting dignitary.

The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Ram Chandra Paudel will hold a high-level meeting at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas this evening.

President Paudel will also organize a state banquet in honor of the Emir this evening.

Nepal and Qatar will sign MoUs on various areas including on youth and sports, and education and scientific research during the Emir’s visit.

This is the first visit by any Qatari Emir to Nepal ever since the two countries established diplomatic relations on January 21, 1977.

Nepal opened its embassy in Doha, Qatar on July 11, 2000 and Qatar its embassy in Nepal in Kathmandu in August 2011.