BY HT Reporter
Kathmandu, April 22: The Russian House in Kathmandu on Tuesday organised a programme to mark the 70th Anniversary of Nepal–Russia diplomatic relations.
The people from different walks of life, including former foreign minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, Joint Secretary (Europe Division), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nepal, Rinchen Rakshaev, director of the Russian House, Anastasia Khokhlova and former ambassador to Russia Hiranaya Lal Shrestha participated in the functioned that positioned the 70-year relationship as an evolving partnership shaped by development cooperation, education, and growing public diplomacy, according to a press statement issued by the Russian House.
Speakers emphasised that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956, cooperation has extended beyond state-level engagement into tangible contributions in infrastructure, hydropower, healthcare, and human resource development. Over the decades, the former Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation have contributed to Nepal’s development through technical assistance, academic exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives, leaving a lasting institutional and human legacy, they noted.
Joint-secretary Dhakal stressed that Nepal sought meaningful international friendships that contribute to national development priorities, particularly in infrastructural development, education, technology transfer, and capacity building, while underlining the need for signaling a pragmatic and results-oriented phase in foreign relations.
Former minister Pandey shed light on the historical resilience of the partnership, while also calling for its modernization. He observed that “true friendship between nations is tested not in formal agreements, but in continued relevance to the aspirations of their people,” urging both sides to expand cooperation in youth engagement and knowledge exchange.
Acting Russian ambassador Rakshaev reaffirmed that relations between the two countries continued to be guided by the principles of equality, mutual respect, and non-interference, while recalling the longstanding cooperation between Russia and Nepal in key development sectors.
Executive member of the Nepal-Russia Friendship and Cultural Association Sugat Ratna Kansakar highlighted tourism and cultural connectivity as underutilized pillars of cooperation. He pointed out that increasing Russian visitor flow to Nepal, supported by potential direct air connectivity, could transform bilateral engagement into a more visible and economically beneficial partnership.
Association general secretary Swaraj Shakye chaired the programme.
Russian House chief Khokhlova highlighted the enduring humanitarian dimension of bilateral ties, noting that “the strength of Nepal-Russia relations lies not only in diplomatic continuity, but in sustained cultural and educational exchange that connected our peoples across generations.
