UK minister highlights education and economic cooperation to strengthen Nepal ties

Kathmandu— UK Minister for Indo-Pacific, Seema Malhotra, emphasized that education, skill development, and economic cooperation are key to strengthening and modernizing the historic relationship between Nepal and the UK.

Speaking at an event during her first visit to Nepal, she expressed commitment to elevating the over 200-year-old friendship and the treaty of friendship signed 100 years ago to new heights.

Minister Malhotra recalled the UK’s continuous support to Nepal’s education sector for the past 70 years. She noted that education and the economy are intrinsically linked. She stated that the UK is keen to support Nepal’s goals of economic growth and job creation.

She mentioned that the UK’s ‘Industrial Strategy’ and ‘Skills England’ concepts could be shared with Nepal according to its needs.

Highlighting the importance of ‘transnational education’, which allows Nepali students to earn British university qualifications while staying in Nepal, the minister said this could help prevent brain drain and reduce costs.

She informed that currently, 19 British universities are collaborating with 30 campuses in Nepal, benefiting over 17,000 Nepali students. Minister Malhotra remarked that the Nepali community in the UK acts as a ‘living bridge’ between the two countries.

Expressing happiness over the success of people of Nepali origin in local politics and business in the UK, she noted that Nepali students form the sixth-largest international group studying in the UK, which is a matter of pride.