KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that Nepali tea exports to India have become smoother after diplomatic efforts led India to revise a directive that had disrupted shipments.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said the issue arose from a directive issued by the Tea Board of India. He stated that coordination between the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi and the foreign ministry helped convince the Indian side to amend the directive, easing the export process for Nepali tea traders.

The ministry also announced that the third meeting of the Nepal-China Project Implementation Mechanism will be held in Kathmandu in June. The meeting will be jointly chaired by Nepal’s Foreign Secretary and the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal. Nepal is also set to host separate bilateral consultation meetings with Norway and Switzerland during the same period.

On the issue of human trafficking and cybercrime, the ministry said rescue operations are continuing for Nepalis trapped in illegal online scam centers operating near the border regions of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. According to the ministry, 687 Nepalis — including 71 rescued within the last two weeks — have so far been brought back to Nepal.

Spokesperson Chhetri said efforts are underway to provide legal support to 29 Nepalis imprisoned in Cambodia, while diplomatic initiatives continue to secure the release of Nepalis detained in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the ministry is preparing to launch the “MoFA Mitra” mobile application on June 5 to provide counseling and support services to Nepalis living abroad. The ministry also said the online verification system for personal event registration documents has been further expanded.

The Department of Passports stated that preparations for a new passport system are in the final stage and the system is expected to come into full operation from the July. Authorities assured the public that passport services remain operational during the transition period.