GENEVA: National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal held a bilateral meeting with Milton Dick, Speaker of the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives.

Dahal, who is in Geneva to attend the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), met with the Australian Speaker.

They discussed mutual relations, bilateral interests, cooperation, and parliamentary collaboration.

Chair Dahal acknowledged Australia’s significant contribution to Nepal’s education, health, good governance, and community forestry and expressed confidence in future collaboration in areas like climate change, renewable energy, and local good governance.

He mentioned that over 180,000 Nepalis reside in Australia, with more than 60,000 students studying there.

Dahal thanked the Australian Speaker for the safe and supportive environment for the Nepali community and students and urged the expansion of academic partnerships, technical training, and research exchange.

Dahal also met with the Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Anurag Singh Thakur and the Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Martin Chungong, in Geneva.

In the meeting with the Indian team, Dahal emphasized that the relationship with India is strong, not just formally between the countries, but also at the people-to-people level.

He informed them about the recent Gen Z movement in Nepal, the formation of an interim government, and the announcement of elections, stating that Nepal is working to hold elections on time for democratic consolidation.

He also requested support from friendly nations for the reconstruction of damaged structures and the upcoming election.

In the meeting with IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, Speaker Dahal updated him on the changed political situation in Nepal, the scheduled House of Representatives election, and the National Assembly’s role in fulfilling legislative responsibilities.

Dahal expressed a desire to collaborate with the IPU to further refine parliamentary practices and strengthen democratic institutions.