As drone swarms and missile barrages light up the skies over the Gulf, Nepal’s acting Prime Minister Sushila Karki reached out to Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Thursday, prioritizing the welfare of 357,913 Nepali nationals in the emirate. This third-largest Nepali community in the region faces heightened risks from the US-Iran confrontation spilling over into civilian zones.
The Nepali diaspora, predominantly blue-collar workers, spans 1.7 million across 12 Gulf states, with Qatar’s numbers swelling due to mega-projects like World Cup infrastructure. Recent clashes have damaged key facilities, amplifying fears in Kathmandu.
In a candid phone call detailed by the PM Secretariat, Karki thanked Qatari authorities for their vigilance. ‘Their safety and care bring me great relief,’ she noted, while flagging the strain from Iran’s precision strikes on American assets, including Qatar’s pivotal Al Udeid Air Base.
Kathmandu is hawkishly tracking the volatility, advocating de-escalation and civilian safeguards. Karki reiterated the supremacy of international norms—UN resolutions, global treaties, and humanitarian laws—over military might, championing negotiation as the sole path to enduring peace.
Solidarity flowed both ways: Karki condemned assaults on Qatari soil, particularly civilian areas. Discussions extended to fortifying Nepal-Qatar bonds via elite delegations, trade boosts, cultural bridges, and grassroots links.
Al-Thani reciprocated warmly, lauding Nepali labor’s role in Qatar’s ascent and pledging parity in protections. He labeled the turmoil ‘regrettable,’ vowing defensive actions solely for territorial integrity while upholding peace as a cornerstone policy.