Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day state visit on Tuesday.
A special aircraft carrying Emir Al Thani and the Qatari delegation touched down on the tarmac of Tribhuvan International Airport at 3:42 pm.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Qatari delegation flew to Kathmandu from Dhaka after wrapping up a two-day visit.
President Ram Chandra Poudel welcomed Al Thani at the airport. Emir Al Thani was then offered a ceremonial 21-cannon salute. President Al Thani is scheduled to hold a meeting with his counterpart Poudel on Monday evening. He will then attend a reception hosted by President Poudel.
Emir Al Thani will lead the Qatari delegation in bilateral talks with the Nepali delegation led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday.
Nepal and Qatar established diplomatic relations on January 21, 1977. This is the first Head of State-level visit from Qatar since the bilateral relations were established.
Nepal’s two former Presidents – Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Bidya Devi Bhandari – have paid state visits to Qatar.
According to officials, the two countries are expected to sign MoUs on five sectors during the visit. Likewise, Nepal is expected to request the Qatari Emir for the necessary initiation to secure the release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who has been taken hostage by Hamas.
Nepal is offering two elephant calves as gifts to the State of Qatar during the visit.
