Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has said that the exact status of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who is under Hamas control, has not yet been ascertained.
Talking to reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Friday upon his return from a week-long Europe visit, Rana said, “Although the exact details of Bipin’s condition are unknown, efforts are underway for his release. We have made maximum diplomatic efforts for Bipin’s safe return.”
Rana also said that if Nepali citizens are indeed in Hamas custody, assurances have been received from the international community for their release.
Hamas, which attacked Israel in October 2023, is reported to have taken Bipin hostage. Since then, diplomatic efforts have been ongoing for his release, but his exact condition remains unclear. Although some hostages have been released following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Bipin has not been among them.
Rana was in Geneva to participate in the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council leading a six-member Nepali delegation. During her stay in Europe, she held meetings with her counterparts from Spain, Slovakia, Switzerland and Azerbaijan as well as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
She also urged the international community to vote for Nepal’s candidacy for membership in the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term.
