By Ramesh Gurung • Nepal Now • Sep 07, 2025 16:04 PM • 43 views
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, on September 1, 2025, Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a significant bilateral meeting.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nepal-Russia relations ahead of their 70th diplomatic anniversary. Oli extended a historic invitation for Putin to visit Nepal, which the Russian President said he would "certainly consider." This would be the first visit by a Russian head of state to the Himalayan nation.
A key point of discussion was the sensitive issue of Nepali nationals serving as mercenaries in the Russian army. Oli raised concerns about the hundreds of Nepali youths believed to have been recruited, highlighting the confirmed deaths of at least 43 and the fact that over 200 families have lost contact with their loved ones. While the issue was discussed, no concrete agreement on the repatriation of bodies or survivors was reached, and further talks are to be conducted through diplomatic channels.
Both leaders also emphasized deepening cooperation in various fields, particularly education. They recalled the strong history of Nepali students studying in Russia and expressed a desire to expand these opportunities. This aligns with Russia's goal to increase its foreign student population, while Nepal has also shown a willingness to support students who have received Russian scholarships.
The meeting highlighted Nepal's diplomatic efforts to balance its foreign policy, seeking to enhance relations with a major power like Russia while addressing the serious human rights and security concerns of its citizens.
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