DHAKA, July 29, (v7n) – Acting Speaker of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal and Nepal's Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari today expressed optimism that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could be revitalised through enhanced regional cooperation.

The view was shared when the Nepalese envoy paid a courtesy call on the Acting Speaker at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

During the meeting, the Acting Speaker said the opportunity still exists to realise the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who initiated the establishment of SAARC with the goal of promoting the desired development of South Asian countries through mutual cooperation. He called upon Nepal to take an active role in making the regional bloc effective once again, to which Ambassador Bhandari expressed his agreement, according to a parliament secretariat press release.

Kayser Kamal thanked Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of Nepal Dol Prasad Aryal for constituting the Bangladesh-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Nepalese parliament and expressed hope that a similar group would soon be formed in the Bangladesh National Parliament to facilitate exchanges on issues of mutual interest. He said such a group would strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, promote bilateral relations, facilitate reciprocal visits, enable experience-sharing in legislation and good governance, foster cooperation in international forums, and create opportunities to address common challenges.

Referring to Bangladesh's import of electricity from Nepal, the Acting Speaker said both countries could further expand cooperation in education, culture, youth exchanges, people-to-people connectivity, water resources, energy, regional connectivity, trade, and climate change.

Ambassador Bhandari praised Bangladesh's new journey under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and expressed Nepal's commitment to working more closely with the country's democratic government. He also appreciated Bangladesh's steady progress across various development indicators towards LDC graduation and expressed confidence that the country would achieve it within the stipulated timeframe.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal Pratik Karki and Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat Barrister Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, among others, were present.

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