Kathmandu, March 5 (NationPress) On Thursday, Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki engaged in a phone discussion with her counterpart from Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, concerning the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran that is impacting the Gulf region, specifically addressing the safety of Nepali citizens living in Qatar.

Currently, approximately 357,913 Nepali nationals, primarily migrant workers, are situated in Qatar, making it the third-largest host nation for Nepalis abroad after the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

More than 1.7 million Nepali nationals reside in twelve countries within the region, and their safety is a pressing concern, especially following Iran's retaliatory strikes, which have recently targeted several civilian infrastructure in Gulf nations in response to joint military operations by the United States and Israel.

According to a press release from the Nepal Prime Minister’s Secretariat, during their conversation, Karki expressed gratitude to the Qatari government for its efforts in safeguarding the Nepali workforce residing in the Gulf.

“I am delighted to learn that they are safe and well cared for,” Karki remarked, amid escalating regional tensions. Qatar itself has faced numerous drone and missile strikes from Iran, primarily directed at US military assets in the country, which is home to the largest US military base in the region.

The Nepali government has confirmed the tragic death of a Nepali youth, Diwas Shrestha, from Gorkha, who was killed during a drone interception at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Prime Minister Karki emphasized that Kathmandu is vigilantly monitoring the situation in West Asia and urged all parties involved to exercise restraint, avert further escalation, and ensure civilian safety.

She further stressed the importance of adhering to the United Nations Charter, international laws, the Geneva Conventions, and humanitarian principles. “War can never serve as a substitute for peace, and lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy,” she asserted.

During their discussion, Karki also conveyed her solidarity with Qatar regarding the current circumstances and expressed concern over attacks on Qatari sovereign territories, particularly in civilian areas.

Both leaders explored avenues to strengthen bilateral relations. Karki expressed optimism that the relationship between Nepal and Qatar would grow through high-level exchanges, enhanced economic and cultural cooperation, and closer ties among their citizens.

In response, Al-Thani, who also holds the position of Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, commended the friendly ties between the two nations, as noted by the Nepali Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

The Qatari Prime Minister acknowledged the significant contributions of Nepali nationals in Qatar and assured that the Qatari government would afford them the same security and protection extended to Qatari citizens during these challenging times.

Describing the current regional situation as unfortunate, Al-Thani clarified that Qatar's actions are strictly aimed at preserving its sovereignty and ensuring self-defense. He reiterated Qatar’s long-standing commitment to peace and opposition to violent actions.

He also expressed appreciation for Nepal's friendship and solidarity during these trying times and voiced hope that the situation would soon stabilize, thereby allowing both nations to further strengthen their relations.