The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released its 100-day performance report, highlighting improvements in consular services and assistance to Nepali citizens abroad. The ministry launched the “MoFA Mitra” mobile application on May 26, 2026, expanded online document authentication and extended consular and legal advisory services across all seven provinces, 77 districts and 537 local levels. During the period, 819 Nepalis trapped in online scam operations in Southeast Asia were rescued, while another 1,047 people affected by tensions in West Asia were brought back to Nepal. Diplomatic efforts also resulted in pardons for 128 Nepalis imprisoned in the UAE and 33 in Saudi Arabia, while a problem affecting temporary residence applications of around 2,000 Nepalis in Portugal was resolved.
The ministry said foreign policy during the period placed strong emphasis on economic and development diplomacy. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal made official visits to India and China, where discussions covered trade, investment, energy, connectivity, tourism, digital cooperation, infrastructure and other areas of mutual interest. Diplomatic engagement with India also helped ease problems affecting the export of Nepali tea to the Indian market. Nepal held bilateral consultation meetings with Romania, Norway, Switzerland, Egypt and Denmark, while more than 30 courtesy meetings with foreign ambassadors and over a dozen incoming foreign visits were coordinated. The ministry has also begun developing country-specific strategies aimed at identifying areas of economic cooperation and mutual benefit.
Among other major initiatives, Nepal formally requested that its scheduled graduation from Least Developed Country status be postponed from November 2026 to November 2029, citing economic vulnerability, geopolitical tensions, disruptions to remittances and supply chains, climate impacts and the potential loss of preferential market access. The ministry also advanced a new passport system, mobile passport services in countries without Nepali missions and plans allowing citizens to apply for passports from any district. It launched the MoFA Nepal Summer Internship and Fellowship Programme 2026, selecting 20 participants from 1,278 applicants, while nearly 3,000 applications were received after Nepal opened ambassadorial appointments to public applications for the first time. The ministry also highlighted soft-power initiatives, diaspora engagement, efforts to control informal hundi transactions, reforms to the Non-Resident Nepali law and continued cooperation through the UN, SAARC, BIMSTEC and other regional and international organisations.
