Kathmandu, April 13: Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has returned home after attending the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, marking his first official foreign visit.

Speaking at Tribhuvan International Airport upon arrival, Khanal said the conference focused on restructuring regional cooperation, maritime governance based on rules and inclusivity, and addressing climate change challenges. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts toward sustainable and resilient development.

Khanal highlighted Nepal’s concerns as a landlocked country, stressing the importance of securing maritime access and strengthening regional partnerships. He said Nepal used the platform to clearly present these issues to the international community.

The minister stated that the conference provided Nepal with an opportunity to reinforce its diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with countries in the Indian Ocean region. He also noted that Nepal could effectively project its balanced, independent and multidimensional foreign policy in the current geopolitical context.

During the visit, Khanal held high-level bilateral talks with foreign ministers from several countries, including India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Mauritius and Tanzania, discussing various bilateral and regional issues.