Nepalese-Pakistani relations

In 1947, after the partition of British India, Nepal established diplomatic relations with the Indian Union , but did not establish diplomatic relations with the Dominion Pakistan . In 1950, Nepal signed the Peace and Friendship Treaty with India, creating the basis for establishing broad economic, strategic and defense relations. Thus, Nepal distanced itself from Pakistan, which was in conflict with India ^{[1] [2] [3]} . However, then Nepal’s dissatisfaction with the growth of Indian influence in the country prompted the government of that country to start developing relations with the People’s Republic of China and Pakistan ^{[3] [4] [5]} . On March 29, 1960, diplomatic relations were established between Nepal and Pakistan ^[6] . In 1972, the country broke off relations, after Nepal recognized the independence of Bangladesh , but then were restored ^[7] . In 1962, Nepal opened an embassy in Pakistan, and in 1975 an honorary Nepalese consulate was opened in Karachi ^[8] .

In 1963, the countries exchanged ambassadors after Pakistani President Mohammed Ayub Khan made the first ever official visit to Nepal. During the visit, the leaders of both countries signed an agreement on the establishment of the most favored nation trade regime . In 1963, Pakistan and Nepal agreed to remove tariffs for trade operations, as well as to supply vehicles to Nepal through the port of Chittagong in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and to establish air traffic. These arrangements reduced the economic dependence of Nepal on India ^[7] . Although Nepal officially maintained neutrality during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war , it became one of the first states to recognize Bangladesh’s independence. In response to this unfriendly move, Islamabad broke off diplomatic relations with Kathmandu ^[7] .

Pakistan’s support for democratic change in Nepal

In a political sense, Nepal and Pakistan have remained good friends for decades. Pakistan expressed support for democratic change in Nepal and the 2006 Jana Andolan movement. Pakistan welcomed the restoration of the activities of the Nepal parliament and expressed the hope that this event would open an era of lasting peace and prosperity in Nepal. At the same time, Pakistan has declared its support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful development of Nepal ^[6] .

SAARC Summit

The 19th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was planned to be held in Islamabad on November 15-16, 2016. However, an act of terrorism occurred in the Indian city of Uri, and India announced its boycott of the summit, saying that the Pakistani government was behind this attack in Kashmir . Nepal was the chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and urged all SAARC member countries to attend the summit in accordance with the provisions of the organization’s charter ^[9] . However, the summit ended up disrupted and Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deouba said he was ready to support Pakistan’s bid to hold the next summit in Pakistan ^[10] .

On October 19, 1962, the countries signed a trade agreement to enhance economic cooperation. In 1982, another agreement was signed, but the volume of trade between the countries remained relatively small at $ 4.8 million, of which Pakistan’s exports to Nepal amounted to $ 1,631 million, and Nepal’s exports to Pakistan amounted to 3.166 million United States ^[11] . In recent years, countries have stepped up efforts to develop bilateral trade, especially in the field of textiles, oilseeds, oil production and tourism. Pakistan also offered to open a credit line for Nepal in the amount of $ 5 million. The countries signed the Free Trade Agreement in South Asia and they are members of the South Asian Economic Union ^{[12] [11] [13]} .

Pakistan, through the Technical Assistance Program, annually provides scholarships for citizens of Nepal in the field of medicine, pharmaceuticals and technical specialties. In Pakistan, more than 500,000 Nepalese students who received knowledge in the fields of medicine, engineering, pharmaceuticals, information technology, social sciences, government and mass communications, have been trained. Pakistan provides long-term and short-term training to Nepalese government officials ^[14] . Pakistan annually provides 15 budget places with a scholarship to Nepali students under the Technical Assistance Program. In addition, some Nepalese students study in Pakistan in the field of humanitarian and business administration on a fee basis. Pakistan also organizes training courses for military officers in Nepal ^[6] .

In April 2015, a devastating earthquake struck Nepal and the Government of Pakistan immediately sent aid to this country. Pakistan sent rescue teams, food, water, tents and provided other assistance. Pakistan participated in the International Conference on the Rehabilitation of Nepal and declared its readiness to continue helping the country. In 2017, the Government of Pakistan provided Kathmandu with $ 1 million in assistance to flood and landslide victims ^[15] .

In recent years, countries began to develop military cooperation and Nepal began to import weapons from Pakistan. Since 2004, the government of Nepal fell into disgrace on the part of India, Britain and the United States of America for suppressing democracy and the Nepalese monarchy began to develop cooperation with China and Pakistan, who offered military support, weapons and equipment to combat the Maoist insurgency ^{[16] [12]} .

In February 2009, Nepal and Pakistan signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism. The agreement provides for the cooperation of countries in the field of tourism and archeology, the creation of tourism organizations and tour operators, the mutual exchange of tourist information, materials and experience, the production of tourism-related films and videotapes and cooperation for investment ^[14] . Every year, about 5,000 tourists from Pakistan visit Nepal ^[17] .