Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” held talks with his Qatari counterpart on the safety and wellbeing of an estimated 360,000 Nepali migrant workers in the Gulf state as geopolitical tensions escalate in West Asia.
The discussions come as Nepali officials grow increasingly concerned over the precarious situation of their nationals in Qatar, many of whom work in the construction and service sectors. Nepal has long relied on remittances from its workers abroad, with Qatar being a major destination.
While details of the talks were not immediately disclosed, the Nepali leader is believed to have sought guarantees from Qatar on the protection and welfare of Nepali citizens amid the volatile regional environment. Analysts say Nepal’s government is walking a diplomatic tightrope, needing to balance relations with both Qatar and its adversaries.
Nepali officials have previously called on their government to repatriate workers from conflict zones, but such large-scale evacuations pose significant logistical and financial challenges. Qatar, for its part, has sought to reassure Nepal about the safety of its citizens, even as the tiny Gulf state navigates its own precarious regional position.
The plight of Nepali and other South Asian migrant workers has long been a concern, with reports of abuse, exploitation and poor living conditions. The current tensions add an additional layer of risk and uncertainty for the hundreds of thousands of Nepalis dependent on employment in the Gulf.