Pandey appointed new ambassador to China; Nepali Embassy issues travel advisory to Nepali nationals

Kathmandu / Mar. 23: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee unanimously confirmed former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey for Nepal’s Ambassador to China.

There was no complaint lodged against Pandey at the parliamentary panel. A few days ago, the Cabinet decided to nominate Pandey as Nepal’s envoy to the northern neighbour.

Cabinet’s nomination followed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s decision to recall Nepal’s current ambassador to China Lila Mani Paudel.

Oli-led government had recommended Pandey as Nepal’s envoy to China in 2016 also but he was among the 14 nominees whose nominations were withdrawn subsequently by Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government.

Dahal-led government had decided to cancel 14 political nominees for ambassadorial positions at a time when the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee was holding the hearings of the nominees.

Nepal Embassy in India issues travel advisory to Nepali nationals

The Nepal Embassy in India, in a joint advisory released in association with the Indian government, appealed to Nepali nationals to avoid all non-essential travel in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement, Nepal Embassy advised Nepali nationals to step out only if necessary and to implement self-isolation until further notice.

Travel restrictions have been imposed in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. The advisory comes after the Government of Nepal shut all its borders along India and China on Sunday.

In India, at least 9 people have died and around 425 have tested positive for COVID-19. Likewise, Nepal has so far two cases recorded, of which, one is currently under treatment.