Doha, March 6: Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, has expressed deep concern regarding the safety of Nepalese citizens residing in Qatar amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. On Thursday, she engaged in discussions with her Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, regarding measures to ensure the safety of these citizens.
According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 357,913 Nepalese citizens, primarily migrant workers, currently live in Qatar. This number makes them the third-largest group of foreign nationals in Qatar, following those from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Over 1.7 million Nepalese citizens reside in 12 countries across the region, raising concerns about their safety due to reports of damage to civilian facilities in Gulf nations resulting from joint U.S. and Israeli attacks and retaliatory actions from Iran.
In a press statement, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat noted that during the phone call, Karki thanked the Qatari government for ensuring the safety and protection of Nepalese citizens living and working in the Gulf state.
Karki expressed relief at the news of their safety and proper care. However, she also acknowledged the rising tensions in the region, particularly due to drone and missile attacks from Iran, which have put pressure on Qatar, especially targeting U.S. assets. Notably, Qatar hosts the largest U.S. military base in the region.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Kathmandu is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia. She urged all parties to exercise restraint, prevent further escalation of tensions, and ensure the safety of ordinary citizens.
Karki also called for all nations to respect and adhere to the United Nations Charter, international law, the Geneva Conventions, and humanitarian law. She stated that war can never be an option for peace, and lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy.
During the conversation, Karki expressed solidarity with Qatar regarding the current situation and voiced concerns over attacks in Qatari sovereign areas, particularly in non-military zones.
Both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations. Karki expressed confidence that ties between Nepal and Qatar would deepen through high-level visits, increased economic and cultural cooperation, and stronger people-to-people connections.
According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Al Thani appreciated the friendly relations between the two countries. He acknowledged the contributions of Nepalese citizens in Qatar and assured that they would receive the same level of safety and protection as Qatari citizens during these challenging times.
Al Thani described the current regional situation as unfortunate, stating that Qatar’s actions are solely aimed at protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reiterated that Qatar has always been a proponent of peace and opposes such activities.
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