Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong held bilateral talks in Melbourne on October 8, 2026, reviewing the overall state of Nepal-Australia relations and discussing areas of mutual interest. According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides expressed satisfaction with the longstanding relationship between the two countries and highlighted strong people-to-people ties.

During the meeting, Wong announced an additional AUD 15 million in Australian assistance for relief and early recovery following the recent floods in Nepal, on top of AUD 11 million previously committed for emergency response. Khanal thanked Australia for the support and urged stronger cooperation on climate adaptation, early-warning systems, disaster preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The two ministers also discussed expanding educational cooperation, including possible Australian-accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutes, while Khanal sought favorable consideration for Nepali students under recent changes to Australia’s student visa policies. Talks also covered trade, foreign direct investment, technology transfer, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism, labour mobility and direct air connectivity between Nepal and Australia.

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain regular high-level exchanges and work toward translating the discussions into practical outcomes. Wong also reaffirmed Australia’s interest in further strengthening cooperation with Nepal across priority sectors.