KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal announced in the National Assembly on Tuesday that a new passport printing system managed by a newly contracted company will launch next Monday to resolve distribution delays.

To facilitate the migration of nearly 10 million citizens’ personal data, passport applications at district offices and foreign missions are suspended from Tuesday to Friday, with services at the Department of Passports in Tripureshwar facing brief disruptions.

Addressing other ministerial matters, Minister Khanal committed to operationalizing Non-Residential Nepali (NRN) citizenship rights and maintaining a balanced foreign policy centered on economic diplomacy and “Brand Nepal.”

He also noted that efforts are underway to resolve border and tea export issues with India and to better manage trade points with China.

Regarding Nepali citizens in the Russian army, he reiterated that such recruitment is against state policy, confirming 131 deaths, 95 missing individuals, and 9 prisoners in Ukraine, while affirming that the government is actively seeking compensation for victims’ families.