Kathmandu, Aug 14: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Portugal has welcomed the decision to establish a Portuguese consular office in Kathmandu, expressing gratitude to the governments of Nepal and Portugal.
A Cabinet meeting held on August 11 decided to grant consent for the Portuguese government to open a consular office in Kathmandu. NRNA Portugal said it expects the office to begin operations in the near future.
In a statement issued by NRNA Portugal President Sujan Lama Moktan, the association said the office in Kathmandu would make it easier for Nepalis living in Portugal to access various consular services. In particular, it is expected to reduce the need to travel to New Delhi, India, for family reunification, visa and other consular services.
Following the formation of the new government, the Nepali side had stepped up efforts to establish a Portuguese consular office in Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held a telephone conversation with Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, during which they discussed the establishment of the consular office and other issues.
Following Nepal’s request and subsequent diplomatic initiatives, Portugal decided to establish the consular office in Kathmandu. NRNA Portugal described the decision as an important achievement for the Nepali community in Portugal.
Nepal and Portugal formally established diplomatic relations on September 1, 1976. For a long time, Nepal did not have a resident embassy in Portugal, with the Nepali Embassy in Paris handling diplomatic affairs related to Portugal.
Nepal established its resident embassy in Lisbon in March 2025. Prakash Mani Paudel became Nepal’s first resident ambassador to Portugal.
The embassy was formally inaugurated on February 20, 2026, during Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai’s visit to Portugal. NRNA Portugal said the move further institutionalised and strengthened direct relations between Nepal and Portugal.
Although there are no exact figures on the number of Nepalis living in Portugal, the Nepali Embassy estimates that more than 60,000 Nepalis reside there. NRNA Portugal said the launch of Portuguese consular services in Kathmandu would be a significant step for a country with a large Nepali community.
Once the consular office begins operating in Kathmandu, Nepalis in Portugal are expected to no longer need to travel to New Delhi to access services, saving both time and money.
People’s News Monitoring Service
Login to add a comment