Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that Nepal and Russia have not yet realised the potential of economic partnership and connectivity so as to enhance the bilateral relations between them.

In an exclusive interview published in the TASS, a Russian news agency, on Thursday (November 30) Prime Minister Prachanda said that the process had started to resume direct flights between the two countries, adding that there was no problem from Nepal’s side in this regard.

“We are very concerned about the not yet fully realised potential of economic partnership and transport connectivity. It really bothers us. I discussed this issue with the Russian Ambassador to Nepal, Alexey Novikov, and we talked about how to create an atmosphere for economic cooperation, ensure connectivity, first of all, this concerns air communication, the restoration of direct flights from Russia to Nepal,” said PM Prachanda.

He sought Russian cooperation in the construction of large-scale projects, especially hydropower ones. Referring to the government’s plan to build the 10,800 MW Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project, the PM said, “We especially need significant funding and assistance for such structures. We are also ready to cooperate in the construction of roads and tunnels. Here we need the experience and technology that we know Russia has.”

PM Prachanda said that Nepal would also like to see more Nepali students in Russia. He recalled that hundreds of Nepali students had received education in science, medicine and technology from Russia in the past.

On the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict, the PM said that the issue had not affected the relations between the two nations.

He said, “It is known that after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, some countries see difficulties in relations with Russia, but in our case, there are no problems.”

In another context, he expressed his willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I will be glad to see Vladimir Putin in Nepal. At the same time, I am ready to go to Russia myself !”

He also recalled his meeting with Putin on the sidelines of BRICS and BIMSTEC summits held in Goa in 2016.

“I am sure that a high-level visit between our countries will allow us to make significant progress in all areas,” he said.

(See https://tass.ru/interviews/19398359 for the full text of interview.)