President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s visit to Myanmar and Japan has enhanced the country’s foreign profile as the KP Oli government is poised to execute independent foreign policies and muster economic support from neighbours and friendly nations to realise the overarching goal of Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali. President Bhandari is returning home today (Wednesday) by wrapping up her trip to the two nations that share close cultural, social and religious relations with the Himalayan nation. On Monday, she had fruitful meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. It was very significant in renewing the bilateral bonhomie between the two nations which had established their diplomatic relations in 1956. The two sides had exchanged substantive views on the key aspects of bilateral relations covering infrastructure development, trade, investment, human resources development, and tourism promotion among others. Nepali President had attended the ceremony of enthronement of emperor Naruhito Tuesday. It was a momentous moment for the Japanese people and attracted the wider media coverage from across the globe.

As a major development partner of Nepal, Japan has contributed to its socio-economic development since 1954 through bilateral grants, bilateral loan, multilateral aid and technical assistance. It has helped in the field of human resource development, health, agriculture, energy, infrastructure and environment protection. It has been providing annual scholarships to Nepali government officials in various fields under the Japan Development Scholarship (JDS) scheme since 2016. It had started providing technical training to Nepali students since Japan joined the Colombo Plan in 1954. During the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake that killed over 9,000 Nepalis, the Japanese government promptly offered humanitarian support to the country. It had announced Rs 26 billion grant for the reconstruction works in Nepal.

It was a pleasant coincidence that the day President Bhandari held talks with Japanese PM Abe, PM Oli had laid down the foundation stone of Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel Way at Totepakha, Kathmandu, which will be constructed with the Japanese soft loan. Out of the total cost, Rs 22 billion, the Japanese government will provide Rs 16 billion in soft loan. Considered as a new model of development, 2.66-km-long tunnel way is expected to be completed in 42 months. It will greatly help ease the vehicular movements at the entry point of Kathmandu.

In fact, Japan has been an amicable friend that has extended generous assistance to the socio-economic development of Nepal for decades. This has been aptly highlighted by the President during her remark made at a reception organised by Nepali embassy in Japan the other day. She said: “Japan has always stood as a good and reliable friend for the Nepalis at times of need and sorrow.” She has rightly mentioned the Japan-constructed Banepa-Bardibas BP Highway as the inspiring model of cooperation between the two nations. The highway has effectively linked the capital city with central Terai and east Nepal through a short-cut route. Nepal-Japan cultural bond has been nourished by Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, for a large number of Japanese are Buddhist followers. In yet another good gesture, General Secretary of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai said that around 60,000 Japanese would visit Nepal during the Visit Nepal year 2020. This cordial sign is propitious for successfully organising the mega tourism event that will spread positive message about Nepal to the international community in addition to giving a boost to the Nepali economy.