Kathmandu: Foreign tourist arrivals in Nepal rose by 22 percent in August 2025 compared to the same month last year, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).



Data shows that 88,680 tourists entered Nepal by air last month, up from 72,717 in August 2024.



India remained the largest source market, accounting for 40 percent of total arrivals with 35,505 visitors. China ranked second with 7,533 visitors (8.5 percent), followed by the United States with 6,068 (6.8 percent), Sri Lanka with 5,956 (6.7 percent), and Bangladesh with 4,262 (4.8 percent).



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By region, Nepal received 47,137 visitors from SAARC countries, 15,777 from other Asian nations, 11,132 from Europe, 7,293 from the Americas, 2,435 from Oceania, and 322 from Africa.



From January to August 2025, Nepal recorded a total of 736,562 foreign tourist arrivals, reflecting continued growth in the country’s post-pandemic tourism recovery.

Tourist arrivals in Nepal jump 22 percent in August

Kathmandu: Foreign policy and border experts have stressed the need for a tripartite dialogue among Nepal, India, and China following the recent agreement between India and China to reopen the Lipulekh trade route, a territory claimed by Nepal.



Speaking at a press meet organized by Press Chautari Nepal on Sunday, experts expressed concern over the August 19 India-China deal, saying it undermines Nepal’s sovereignty as the route passes through Nepali territory.



CPN (UML) standing committee member and foreign affairs expert Dr. Rajan Bhattarai said Lipulekh-related disputes must be resolved through dialogue among the three countries, supported by historical evidence. He referred to the Sugauli Treaty, which he said clearly recognizes Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as Nepal’s territory. “Unity is crucial to safeguard Nepal’s territorial integrity,” he said, criticizing India’s unilateral inclusion of the disputed areas in its official map despite Nepal’s protests.



Nepal-India Border Study Committee Coordinator Dr. Bishnu Uprety also cited “irrefutable evidence” proving the areas belong to Nepal, urging China to take the matter with Nepal seriously. Similarly, border expert Dr. Buddhinarayan Shrestha argued that the issue, once bilateral between Nepal and India, has now become tripartite following the India-China understanding to reopen the route. “The governments of all three countries should engage in dialogue and resolve the matter diplomatically,” he said.



Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during his ongoing official visit to China, raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Oli reiterated Nepal’s position that Lipulekh lies within Nepali territory and objected to the India-China agreement to use the pass for border trade.



-RSS



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Foreign affairs experts call for Nepal-India-China dialogue over Lipulekh dispute

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has informally met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in China on Sunday. 



The two prime ministers talked briefly during the banquet organized by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his spouse Peng Liyuan for the participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. 



Indian PM Modi took to social network site, X, displaying a photo together with PM Oli during the dinner in the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Centre. 



He mentioned, "Delighted to meet Nepal PM Mr KP Oli in Tianjin. India’s relations with Nepal are deep-rooted and very special."

PM Oli meets Indian PM Modi informally

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping here today. The meeting between the two leaders was held at Tianjin Guest House. 



Prior to this, the Prime Minister was welcomed by the Chinese President to the House. Prime Minister Oli arrived in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025. 



He is leading a 26-member delegation to the Summit at the cordial invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. 



Earlier, upon his arrival in Tianjin, Prime Minister Oli was welcomed by Nepal's Ambassador to China, Krishna Prasad Oli, China's Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China. Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to address the SCO Plus Summit in Tianjin on September 1, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PM Oli in China, bilateral talks with President Xi

Kathmandu: Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) has launched a response to cholera that has already spread to the community level in Birgunj. 



The efforts aiming to prevent and contain the spread of infection have been implemented in financial and technical support of the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). 



As the NRCS said, the IFRC and the NRCS Health Service Department have mobilized specialized staff members to provide technical support to the Parsa District Chapter in preparing its response plan. Cholera outbreak was first witnessed around 20 August 2025 in Birgunj. 



The NRCS Parsa District Chapter has mobilized its volunteers to provide door-to-door information to the community about avoiding cholera, including hygiene promotion. 



In addition, NRCS has provided over 300 packets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Ministry of Health and Population, which will be handed over to hospitals treating cholera patients. 



The NRCS is in coordination with the Government at all levels to support efforts to contain the outbreak, it is said. In addition, the Parsa District Chapter is already implementing Drought Response Activities with the support of the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), it is reported.

NRCS responds to cholera outbreak in Birgunj

Kathmandu: The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has said that it has completed necessary preparations to manage devotees expected come in large numbers to offer worships at Pashupathinath Temple on the occasion of Haritalika (Teej) festival on Tuesday. 



Preparations have been completed for necessary security, volunteering, offerings of prasad, management, and improvement of pilgrims' queue, emergency health services, recreational songs, music, hymns, illumination celebrations, and arrangements for the donation of cows by the devotees, the PADT shared. 



Arrangement of four routes has been put in place for entering the temple from the outer part of the Pashupati area. The first route is to enter the temple premises from north gate (uttardhoka) via Gaurighat–Umakunda–Dakshinmurti–Rudragadeshwor–Basuki and exiting through the Kailash south gate. 



The second route is to enter the temple premises from the west small door via the Iron bridge and exiting through the Shankaracharya math south gate. Similarly, the queue from Pingalasthan–Chaar Shivala–Panchdev–Bajra Ghar to the South Door has been arranged near Kotilingeshwar Temple. 



As reported, the third route goes through a small door near the Kotilingeshwar temple to enter the temple courtyard and exit through the south door. The fourth route is to enter the temple entering through its east gate and exit through the same east gate. 



Inside the main temple, eight different queues have been arranged to facilitate devotees to offer prayers, member-secretary at PADT, Subhash Chandra Joshi said.

Preparations complete for Teej festival at Pashupathinath

Kathmandu: The mother and sister of Bipin Joshi have met with President Ramchandra Paudel today. It may be recalled here that Joshi from Mahendranagar was taken hostage by the Palestinian group Hamas in course of its assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. 



With the coordination of the Nepalese embassy in Israel, Bipin's mother Padma and sister Pushpa Joshi had gone to Israel and recently returned after a meeting with the President and Prime Minister there. 



Bipin's mother and sister mentioned that while in Israel they had met the president, prime minister, and ambassadors from various countries there, stating this issue (Bipin's being held hostage by Hamas) has reached an international level. 



They urged everyone to make further efforts for Bipin's release. Padma urged that her son Bipin, being an innocent student, should be released on humanitarian grounds. On the occasion, President Paudel stated that he would make further efforts for Bipin's release.

Bipin Joshi's mother and sister call on President

Kathmandu: Lawmakers in the National Assembly on Friday strongly objected to a recent agreement between India and China to use Nepal’s Lipulekh Pass for bilateral trade, describing it as a violation of Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.



During a special session, members called on the government through Speaker Devraj Ghimire to seek clarification and take diplomatic steps to stop the move. Lawmaker Gopal Bhattarai said the deal undermined smaller nations and urged Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to prioritize the Lipulekh issue during his upcoming visit to India.



Jag Prasad Sharma called the agreement a “direct assault” on Nepal’s sovereignty, stressing that the country’s borders are defined by the Kali River. He appealed to all political parties to unite in defending Kalapani and Lipulekh.



Lawmaker Krishna Bahadur Rokaya expressed concern that Nepal had not even been informed of the deal and demanded the government issue a diplomatic note. Dr. Beduram Bhusal accused India and China of territorial encroachment, citing treaties and past studies to affirm Nepal’s claim. He recalled that a similar move was halted in the past after then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala sent a diplomatic protest note, urging the government to act in the same way.

National Assembly slams India-China deal on Lipulekh trade route

Kathmandu: Lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Wednesday raised strong objections to the reported agreement between India and China to reopen the Lipulekh Pass for bilateral trade, saying the move undermines Nepal’s sovereignty.



Speaking during the emergency hour, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chief Whip Hitraj Pandey demanded that the government brief Parliament on the deal, which, he said, was reached without Nepal’s consent despite involving Nepali territory.



“It has hurt our nation,” Pandey said. “Our serious attention has been drawn to the agreement between our two neighboring countries to reopen trade routes through Lipulekh Pass without keeping Nepal in the loop. This issue is against Nepal’s sovereignty and integrity.” He urged the government to launch diplomatic and political initiatives to safeguard Nepal’s territorial rights.



Lawmaker Thakur Prasad Gaire echoed the concerns, stressing that Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura are integral parts of Nepal as enshrined in the Constitution. “Nepal has the right to utilize them,” Gaire said, adding that reports of India and China using the Lipulekh route for trade without Nepal’s approval were “wrong” and must be corrected.



Gaire also objected to India’s recent assertion that historical evidence does not support Nepal’s claim over the disputed territories.

Maoist Centre demands clarification on India-China deal over Lipulekh

Kathmandu: First Women Police Conference kicked off in Kathmandu on Wednesday, bringing together 200 women police personnel from across the country for a two-day discussion on inclusion, empowerment, and gender equality within the force.



Inaugurating the event, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak said women now make up 12 percent of the Nepal Police, up from near zero before the country became a republic in 2006. He pledged to raise the figure to 20 percent in the near term, with a long-term target of 33 percent.



“The policy of inclusion has been central to building an inclusive society in the new republic,” Lekhak said, stressing the need to mainstream women’s participation across all state mechanisms. He also voiced concern over rising cases of rape and sexual violence, saying women and girls were disproportionately affected.



Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla praised women police for breaking stereotypes about their capabilities and called for their greater involvement in high-profile responsibilities, including VIP and VVIP security.



Attorney General Ramesh Badal said the conference should provide concrete recommendations to eliminate discriminatory provisions and empower women within the force, while Nepal Women Commission Chair Kamala Parajuli urged supportive laws and policies to encourage women to pursue policing careers.



Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Laxmi Kumari Basnet, assured government cooperation in tackling violence against women, girls, and senior citizens. Nepal Police AIG Rajan Adhikari said the participation of women from diverse backgrounds demonstrated progress in implementing inclusion.



The conference will feature 10 working papers and panel discussions on policing, health, financial literacy, and cyber security. It will conclude with the “Kathmandu Declaration,” outlining recommendations on constitutional provisions, laws, and gender policies of the Nepal Police.

First Women Police Conference kicks off in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday confirmed that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, making it the sixth country in the South-East Asia region to achieve the milestone.



The certification follows a review by the Regional Verification Commission for measles and rubella elimination, which assessed Nepal’s disease surveillance and vaccine coverage data during its annual meeting from July 22 to 24.



Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious viral disease that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or lifelong disabilities in children if contracted during pregnancy. WHO credited Nepal’s strong immunization program, consistent nationwide vaccination campaigns, and active involvement of health workers and community volunteers for the success.



“This success is the result of leadership commitment, dedication of health workers, and the cooperation of the public. It ensures a healthy start for infants and a rubella-free future,” said Dr. Katharina Bohm, Acting Head of WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Office.



Nepal introduced the rubella vaccine into its national immunization program in 2012, targeting children aged 9 months to 15 years. A second dose was added in 2016. Despite challenges posed by the 2015 and 2023 earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, nationwide vaccination drives in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 achieved over 95 percent coverage of the first dose.



Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel praised the achievement as evidence of the strength of Nepal’s immunization program, thanking GAVI, WHO, health workers, and community volunteers for their roles. “We must continue our efforts so that no child suffers from preventable diseases,” he said.



Nepal has also introduced advanced laboratory testing systems to strengthen disease surveillance, the first of its kind in the South-East Asia region.



Alongside Nepal, Bhutan, North Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste have eliminated rubella, while Bhutan, North Korea, Maldives, and Timor-Leste have also eliminated measles ahead of the regional goal of 2026.

WHO declares Nepal rubella-free, sixth country in South-East Asia to eliminate disease

Kathmandu: Society International Travels (SI) has entered into a partnership with Friends of Parents of Children with Autism (FPCA), pledging yearlong monthly financial support to the nonprofit as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.



The first installment was handed over on Monday to FPCA president Elina Bajracharya Tuladhar during a ceremony in Kathmandu.



“Autism remains deeply misunderstood in Nepal, leading to stigma and immense challenges for families,” said Santosh Bikram Rana, head of GSA affairs at SI. “Our support for FPCA reflects our commitment to building a more inclusive Nepal.”



Tuladhar, who founded FPCA in 2013 and is also the mother of a child with autism, said the partnership would strengthen the organization’s mission to provide specialized education and therapy. “While we urge the government to prioritize neurodiversity, SI’s commitment enables us to expand vital services for families under financial and emotional strain,” she said.



FPCA currently runs Kathmandu’s only nonprofit day-care and learning center exclusively for children with autism, serving 15 children. Its programs include individualized education plans, occupational and speech therapy, music and behavioral sessions, and skill-development training. The center employs trained educators as well as family members of children with autism.

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