KATHMANDU: A Russian delegation led by Batu Khasikov, the head of the republic of Kalmykia under the Russian Federation, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, discussions were held on various dimensions of the long-standing friendly relations between Nepal and Russia.

Khasikov extended an invitation to Prime Minister Oli to attend the upcoming International Buddhist Conference scheduled for September in Kalmykia. In response, Prime Minister Oli requested Khasikov to convey his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an official visit to Nepal.

Prime Minister Oli also took the opportunity to express his concerns regarding the recruitment of Nepali citizens into the Russian military, emphasizing that Nepal and Russia do not have any military agreements.

He asked Khasikov to relay a message to President Putin to halt the recruitment of Nepali nationals into the Russian armed forces. In response, Khasikov assured Prime Minister Oli that such recruitment would be stopped.

The meeting was also attended by Russian Ambassador to Nepal, Aleksei Novikov, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other dignitaries.