Dhaka, Sept 10 (V7N) – Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari today paid a courtesy call on Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with the two sides discussing the recent catastrophic floods and landslides in Nepal.
Deputy Chief of Nepal Embassy Pratik Karki was also present. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, according to a BSS report.
At the outset, Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the devastating natural disasters, landslides and mudslides that recently struck Nepal. He also expressed interest in learning about the latest situation in the country.
Ambassador Bhandari thanked the Leader of the Opposition for expressing sympathy for the victims of the disaster. Referring to Dr Shafiqur Rahman's sincere efforts and the condolence message he sent immediately after the natural disaster, the ambassador expressed his gratitude for his support.
The Nepalese ambassador briefed the opposition leader on the ongoing rescue operations in Nepal, the suffering of the people, the devastation caused by landslides and the extent of the damage. In response, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, who is also the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, referred to the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Nepal and assured the ambassador that Jamaat-e-Islami would stand by Nepal in every possible way during the crisis.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Naib-e-Ameer Prof Mujibur Rahman, MP, Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, MP, Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Leader of the Opposition, and Ali Ahmad Mabrur, a member of the committee to the Leader of the Opposition, were also present at the meeting.
The courtesy call is part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Nepal following the August 26 glacial and mountain collapse on the China-Nepal border that triggered catastrophic flooding. The disaster has killed at least 1,308 people and left more than 5,600 missing, with more than 800 foreigners from at least 34 countries among the missing. Bangladesh has offered full assistance to Nepal and remains prepared to support any affected Bangladeshi nationals. The government and people of Bangladesh have expressed solidarity with Nepal, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conveying his personal condolence message to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
