By Usha Wagle Gautam/Correspondent

HE the Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah held talks with former Nepalese premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, in Doha yesterday. 

During the meeting, Dr al-Attiyah and Prachanda discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, issues related to Nepalese migrant workers and the prospects of Qatari investment in Nepal.

Both Dr al-Attiyah and Prachanda stressed the need to resolve issues pertaining to migrant labour through bilateral talks. Prachanda, who is the undisputed leader of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), thanked Qatar for its longstanding support and for hosting Nepalese workers.

While briefing the Foreign Minister on recent political developments in his country, Prachanda said Nepal was expected to enter a phase of economic boom and urged Qatar to help achieve his country’s mission. On his part, Dr al-Attiyah praised Nepal for its beauty and its honest, humble and hardworking people.

Further, the Foreign Minister said he has been to Nepal a couple of times and expects to do so again in the near future. He also said the Qatari government is willing to invest in different sectors in Nepal, including hydropower.

The visiting dignitary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the issue of simplifying visa procedures for Nepalese workers and providing training to aspirants in Nepal who are willing to work in Qatar.

Prachanda had earlier held meetings with HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Abdullah Saleh Mubarak al-Khulaifi during his visit to Qatar.