India on Wednesday exempted Nepal from refined palm and palm olein restrictions, news agency Reuters reported citing government officials.

According to the report, the government has started issuing a license to import some refined palm olein from the Himalayan nation.

The latest move comes after India put curbs on palm oil imports from Malaysia after its Prime Minister spoke against India's Citizenship Bill and abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

The report says that the move could put pressure on Indian refiners as imports from Nepal were allowed at zero duty under a regional treaty. It will also help Nepal, as refined palm oil and palm olein are its largest export earners.

The initiative is also expected to&nbsp;counter the growing influence of China in Nepal, where Chinese investments have been climbing.

Licences to import around 88,000 tonnes of refined bleached deodorised palm olein from Nepal were issued to about half a dozen importers, Reuters quoted&nbsp;a Kolkata-based official at India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as saying.

Kathmandu has been urging New Delhi to allow imports of refined palm oil and palm olein.

"We have made an exception with Nepal. Refined palm oil imports are not allowed from any other country," said another DGFT official.

(With inputs from Reuters)

India on Wednesday exempted Nepal from refined palm and palm olein restrictions, news agency Reuters reported citing government officials. According to the report, the government has started issuing a license to import some refined palm olein from the Himalayan nation.

India on Wednesday exempted Nepal from refined palm and palm olein restrictions, news agency Reuters reported citing government officials. According to the report, the government has started issuing a license to import some refined palm olein from the Himalayan nation. The latest move comes after India put curbs on palm oil imports from Malaysia after its Prime Minister spoke against India's Citizenship Bill and abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The report says that the move could put pressure on Indian refiners as imports from Nepal were allowed at zero duty under a regional treaty. It will also help Nepal, as refined palm oil and palm olein are its largest export earners. The initiative is also expected to counter the growing influence of China in Nepal, where Chinese investments have been climbing. Licences to import around 88,000 tonnes of refined bleached deodorised palm olein from Nepal were issued to about half a dozen importers, Reuters quoted a Kolkata-based official at India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as saying. Kathmandu has been urging New Delhi to allow imports of refined palm oil and palm olein. "We have made an exception with Nepal. Refined palm oil imports are not allowed from any other country," said another DGFT official. (With inputs from Reuters)

India allows some refined palm olein imports from Nepal amid restrictions: Report

Nepal is preparing to bring back its 180 nationals struck in China's Wuhan city, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus that has killed over 1,000 people, officials said here.

The disease emerged in December in a market in central China's Wuhan city that sold wild animals, and spread rapidly.

Outside China, there have been more than 350 infections reported in almost 30 places with two deaths, one in the Philippines and the other in Hong Kong.

Nepal government is preparing to bring back Nepalese nationals currently residing in Wuhan city of China through a chartered flight of Nepal Airlines in a few days, official sources said.

The government is preparing to send the aircraft to China around mid-February after 180 Nepalese nationals who were struck in Wuhan city, registered their names in the

Nepalese embassy in Beijing seeking evacuation, the sources said.

The government said it is setting up an isolation centre before bringing the Nepalese nationals from Wuhan.

Five Nepalese nationals were admitted to a government hospital in Kathmandu for the suspected virus infection after they returned from China last fortnight. However, only one of them was found to be infected and he has already been cured, according to health ministry sources.

The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has gone up to 1,016 with 108 new fatalities reported mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province while the confirmed cases of infection have soared to 42,638, Chinese health officials said on Tuesday.

Nepal is preparing to bring back its 180 nationals struck in China's Wuhan city, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus that has killed over 1,000 people, officials said here.

Nepal is preparing to bring back its 180 nationals struck in China's Wuhan city, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus that has killed over 1,000 people, officials said here. The disease emerged in December in a market in central China's Wuhan city that sold wild animals, and spread rapidly. Outside China, there have been more than 350 infections reported in almost 30 places with two deaths, one in the Philippines and the other in Hong Kong. Nepal government is preparing to bring back Nepalese nationals currently residing in Wuhan city of China through a chartered flight of Nepal Airlines in a few days, official sources said. The government is preparing to send the aircraft to China around mid-February after 180 Nepalese nationals who were struck in Wuhan city, registered their names in the Nepalese embassy in Beijing seeking evacuation, the sources said. The government said it is setting up an isolation centre before bringing the Nepalese nationals from Wuhan. Five Nepalese nationals were admitted to a government hospital in Kathmandu for the suspected virus infection after they returned from China last fortnight. However, only one of them was found to be infected and he has already been cured, according to health ministry sources. The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has gone up to 1,016 with 108 new fatalities reported mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province while the confirmed cases of infection have soared to 42,638, Chinese health officials said on Tuesday.

Nepal prepares to evacuate its citizens from virus-hit Wuhan city in China

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission has directed the government to immediately evacuate Nepali citizens from the Hubei province of China, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

The instruction was made during an emergency meeting of the commission on Sunday, Himalayan Times reported.

The Nepal government initiated the process of evacuation of Nepalis from Hubei on February 1.

The embassy of Nepal in Beijing requested those interested in returning home to submit applications.

By February 2, 180 Nepalis including three minors have submitted application. However, the government still has not been able to confirm the evacuation date.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-first-coronavirus-patient-on-path-to-recovery-tests-negative-for-infection-279844">India's first coronavirus patient on path to recovery, tests negative for infection</a>

The government has not been able to finalise the location to house China evacuees as they will have to be quarantined for two weeks once they return home before they are released.

As of now, two buildings of Nepal Electricity Authority Training Centre in Bhaktapur have been vacated to quarantine Nepalis returning from China.

The environment and social study department and a hostel at the training centre have been vacated to house Nepalis. These facilities can accommodate up to 150 people.

The novel coronavirus was first detected in China's Wuhan city in late December and has since spread to more than 25 countries.

The death toll in the deadly outbreak in China and other parts of the world has reached 904, CNN reported citing Chinese authorities on Monday.

The number of infected people globally has now hit the 40,000 mark.&nbsp;

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission has directed the government to immediately evacuate Nepali citizens from the Hubei province of China, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission has directed the government to immediately evacuate Nepali citizens from the Hubei province of China, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. The instruction was made during an emergency meeting of the commission on Sunday, Himalayan Times reported. The Nepal government initiated the process of evacuation of Nepalis from Hubei on February 1. The embassy of Nepal in Beijing requested those interested in returning home to submit applications. By February 2, 180 Nepalis including three minors have submitted application. However, the government still has not been able to confirm the evacuation date. Also read: India's first coronavirus patient on path to recovery, tests negative for infection The government has not been able to finalise the location to house China evacuees as they will have to be quarantined for two weeks once they return home before they are released. As of now, two buildings of Nepal Electricity Authority Training Centre in Bhaktapur have been vacated to quarantine Nepalis returning from China. The environment and social study department and a hostel at the training centre have been vacated to house Nepalis. These facilities can accommodate up to 150 people. The novel coronavirus was first detected in China's Wuhan city in late December and has since spread to more than 25 countries. The death toll in the deadly outbreak in China and other parts of the world has reached 904, CNN reported citing Chinese authorities on Monday. The number of infected people globally has now hit the 40,000 mark.

Nepal right commission directs govt to evacuate Nepalis from Hubei province amid coronavirus outbreak

Nepal's Federal Socialist Party MP Pradeep Yadav on Tuesday hit out at the central government over its failure to finalise the location to set up quarantine facilities and sarcastically proposed that those to be rescued from coronavirus-hit Wuhan city in China should be sheltered in the Parliament.

Nepal's Federal Socialist Party MP Pradeep Yadav on Tuesday hit out at the central government over its failure to finalise the location to set up quarantine facilities and sarcastically proposed that those to be rescued from coronavirus-hit Wuhan city in China should be sheltered in the Parliament. "The government has said that the aircraft to evacuate them (Nepali citizens) are kept ready. Then when will they fly-off for China? It's already been 5 days that the Nepal government has been searching on for a place to keep those to-be-evacuated from China. No location has been identified until now. Should we vacate the Parliament building?" Yadav said. "Let's vacate it (the Parliament building) and keep those returning from China here. Let's move our parliamentary meeting out under the tarpaulins," he added. Also Read: Coronavirus outbreak: First case reported in Nepal, ministry of health confirms Nepal is working to evacuate its citizens from China, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak that has reported 426 deaths. As many as 180 Nepalis, including three children, have approached the country's embassy in Beijing, demanding their evacuation from the country, as per a list of names published by the embassy. The country is yet to finalise on places where the evacuees would be kept for a quarantine period of at least two weeks. Responding to Yadav in the Parliament, Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Minister of Health and Population said that the government has "surveyed many places" and "is inching closer to finalise the place where the students to be evacuated would be kept. "Some of those locations are near residential areas and the government believes that places far from the urban settlement would be appropriate," Dhakal said. Several countries, including India, have airlifted their citizens from China while more are planning the evacuation of their people.

Let's vacate Parliament to shelter evacuees: Nepali lawmaker jabs government over failure to set up quarantine facilities

As many as 46 lawmakers of the ruling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-nepal-sri-lanka-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-276941">Nepal</a> Communist Party have registered a motion in Parliament urging the government to legalise the cultivation of marijuana and ban the import of alcohol.

The farming, production and trade of marijuana and cannabis are banned in Nepal since 1973.

The lawmakers claim that over 65 countries, including the US, Canada, and Germany who had led the movements for banning marijuana in the 1970s, have already legalised it.

Lawmaker Birodh Khatiwada, from Makawanpur district, proposed the motion, which got support from 45 others lawmakers of the party in the House of Representatives.

Makawanpur is one of the districts that produce the highest amount of marijuana illegally.

The lawmakers have argued that the legalisation can be economically beneficial for the country and would help improve people's standard of living.

"Marijuana has multiple uses. It also helps earn foreign currencies and produce medicines," Khatiwada said.

The government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communications Technology Gokul Baskota said the government was yet to take any steps towards legalising it.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jay-z-goes-into-the-marijuana-business-234650">Jay-Z goes into the marijuana business</a>

As many as 46 lawmakers of the ruling Nepal Communist Party have registered a motion in Parliament urging the government to legalise the cultivation of marijuana and ban the import of alcohol.

As many as 46 lawmakers of the ruling Nepal Communist Party have registered a motion in Parliament urging the government to legalise the cultivation of marijuana and ban the import of alcohol. The farming, production and trade of marijuana and cannabis are banned in Nepal since 1973. The lawmakers claim that over 65 countries, including the US, Canada, and Germany who had led the movements for banning marijuana in the 1970s, have already legalised it. Lawmaker Birodh Khatiwada, from Makawanpur district, proposed the motion, which got support from 45 others lawmakers of the party in the House of Representatives. Makawanpur is one of the districts that produce the highest amount of marijuana illegally. The lawmakers have argued that the legalisation can be economically beneficial for the country and would help improve people's standard of living. "Marijuana has multiple uses. It also helps earn foreign currencies and produce medicines," Khatiwada said. The government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communications Technology Gokul Baskota said the government was yet to take any steps towards legalising it. Also read: Jay-Z goes into the marijuana business

Legal marijuana in Nepal? 46 MPs put forward the demand to government

The health ministry of Sri Lanka confirmed the first case of coronavirus in Sri Lanka.

According to a report, the patient is a 43-year-old Chinese woman who has been hospitalised.

The fatal virus which originated in China's Wuhan spread across the globe. It has claimed 80 lives in China while more than 2,744 have been infected.

On Friday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/american-quarantined-in-nepal-on-suspicion-of-novel-coronavirus-infection-276714">Nepal became first the South Asian nation to confirm the case</a> of the novel virus, which was detected after a student, infected with the virus, showed symptoms after returning to the Himalayan nation from Wuhan.

On Monday, Beijing confirmed Beijing reported the capital's first death due to the coronavirus taking the death toll to 82.&nbsp;

Authorities said the victim was a &nbsp;50-year-old man who had visited Wuhan earlier. The man died of respiratory failure.

The virus which could be spread through human contact has reached many countries.&nbsp;

India has seen a few suspected cases of coronavirus as of now.&nbsp;

Amid reports of countries contacting the Chinese government to evacuate patients with coronavirus, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe said all nationals will be taken out of Wuhan "by every means including a chartered flight".

India also held a meeting on Monday discuss the possible evacuation of Indians in Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

(With inputs from agencies)

The health ministry of Sri Lanka confirmed the first case of coronavirus in Sri Lanka. According to a report, the patient is a 43-year-old Chinese woman who has been hospitalised.

The health ministry of Sri Lanka confirmed the first case of coronavirus in Sri Lanka. According to a report, the patient is a 43-year-old Chinese woman who has been hospitalised. The fatal virus which originated in China's Wuhan spread across the globe. It has claimed 80 lives in China while more than 2,744 have been infected. On Friday, Nepal became first the South Asian nation to confirm the case of the novel virus, which was detected after a student, infected with the virus, showed symptoms after returning to the Himalayan nation from Wuhan. On Monday, Beijing confirmed Beijing reported the capital's first death due to the coronavirus taking the death toll to 82. Authorities said the victim was a 50-year-old man who had visited Wuhan earlier. The man died of respiratory failure. The virus which could be spread through human contact has reached many countries. India has seen a few suspected cases of coronavirus as of now. Amid reports of countries contacting the Chinese government to evacuate patients with coronavirus, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe said all nationals will be taken out of Wuhan "by every means including a chartered flight". India also held a meeting on Monday discuss the possible evacuation of Indians in Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. (With inputs from agencies)

After Nepal, Sri Lanka confirms first case of coronavirus

The coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but the virus that has killed people in China is a novel strain and not seen before.

Coronavirus Do's and Dont's: Get Informed

Nepal is all set to host a major summit Sagarmatha Sambad. What is interesting is that Kathmandu has invited all SAARC leaders including PM Modi for the event.&nbsp;

Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Kathmandu, Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that the SAARC grouping can't be replaced by BIMSTEC and that both are complementary to each other. Here's the full interview.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the relationship?

Pradeep Gyawali: Nepal and India enjoy excellent bilateral relationship which is characterized by an open border, an enhanced level of people-to-people contact, sharing of a common culture, religion and shared values and also trying best to take the relationship to near heights so that it can incorporate the new aspect of the development and economic partnership so that people of both countries can be benefited.

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&nbsp;

WION: You plan to host the Sagarmatha Sambad, can you give us the details of the project?

Pradeep Gyawali: We are hosting the Sagarmatha Sambad in coming April, it means the Everest Dialogue. It will be a permanent dialogue forum aiming to bring together scientists, academia, civil society to discuss and explore the ways and ideas of the common concern we are facing now. The theme will be climate change, mountains and future of humanity wherein we will discuss the adverse impact of climate change. We will discuss the ecological link between the mountains and the oceans and we will explore the new ways on how we can address this very alarming challenge because it posing a serious threat to the mountainous country and to the small island states as well.

WION: Who all will u be inviting for the summit?

Pradeep Gyawali: We have invited all the SAARC member nations, the nations of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region including Myanmar. We have invited small Island nations, some European friends, some Latin American friends, some friends from Africa as well, keeping in mind that the summit will be focused on the ecological link between mountains and oceans, we have invited many heads of the states, academia, scientist, researchers and people from the private sector.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-urges-india-to-reconsider-palm-oil-import-ban-276463">Nepal's finance minister urges India to reconsider palm oil import ban</a>

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WION: Kalapana border issue, have you engaged with the Indian side on this?

Pradeep Gyawali: We are in close contact and we hope the foreign secretaries to settle the unresolved issue. We are optimistic that via the diplomatic discussions, based on historical evidence, maps and treaties, we can solve and we should solve it. We would not like to carry on the baggage of history and focus on the future.

WION: Do you think SAARC can be replaced by BIMSTEC?

Pradeep Gyawali: No I don't think so, because SAARC has its own history, own strength and its own perspective and it cannot be and should not be replaced by some other mechanism. Both BIMSTEC and SAARC move together and we should not look at it as something exclusive. They can be complementary and though we all know that there are some problems and misunderstandings we are optimistic that the member nations can avail new ways to mitigate the differences and revive the regional cooperation. Without strong regional cooperation, we cannot address the common problems we are facing.

WION: Is cross-border terror the big challenge?

Pradeep Gyawali: Terrorism is a common challenge to global humanity and it is not a threat to just a particular country. One should have an unconditional stance on terrorism. All forms and the manifestation of terrorism should be condemned. It should be resisted, it should be protested and there should be no ifs and buts. It is equally important to explore the new areas of cooperation because such cooperation adds value to our struggle against terrorism.

Nepal is all set to host a major summit Sagarmatha Sambad. What is interesting is that Kathmandu has invited all SAARC leaders including PM Modi for the event. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Kathmandu, Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that the SAARC grouping can't be replaced by BIMSTEC and that both are complementary to each other.

Nepal is all set to host a major summit Sagarmatha Sambad. What is interesting is that Kathmandu has invited all SAARC leaders including PM Modi for the event. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Kathmandu, Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said that the SAARC grouping can't be replaced by BIMSTEC and that both are complementary to each other. Here's the full interview. WION: How do you see the relationship? Pradeep Gyawali: Nepal and India enjoy excellent bilateral relationship which is characterized by an open border, an enhanced level of people-to-people contact, sharing of a common culture, religion and shared values and also trying best to take the relationship to near heights so that it can incorporate the new aspect of the development and economic partnership so that people of both countries can be benefited. #WIONDirect from Kathmandu | Sagarmatha Sambad should focus on ecological link between mountains & oceans, we have invited many leaders, academics... SAARC has own history & perspective, it can't be replaced: Pradeep Gyawali, Foreign Minister, Nepal to @sidhant@akankshaswarups pic.twitter.com/UvI13JFSik — WION (@WIONews) January 25, 2020 × WION: You plan to host the Sagarmatha Sambad, can you give us the details of the project? Pradeep Gyawali: We are hosting the Sagarmatha Sambad in coming April, it means the Everest Dialogue. It will be a permanent dialogue forum aiming to bring together scientists, academia, civil society to discuss and explore the ways and ideas of the common concern we are facing now. The theme will be climate change, mountains and future of humanity wherein we will discuss the adverse impact of climate change. We will discuss the ecological link between the mountains and the oceans and we will explore the new ways on how we can address this very alarming challenge because it posing a serious threat to the mountainous country and to the small island states as well. WION: Who all will u be inviting for the summit? Pradeep Gyawali: We have invited all the SAARC member nations, the nations of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region including Myanmar. We have invited small Island nations, some European friends, some Latin American friends, some friends from Africa as well, keeping in mind that the summit will be focused on the ecological link between mountains and oceans, we have invited many heads of the states, academia, scientist, researchers and people from the private sector. Also read: Nepal's finance minister urges India to reconsider palm oil import ban × WION: Kalapana border issue, have you engaged with the Indian side on this? Pradeep Gyawali: We are in close contact and we hope the foreign secretaries to settle the unresolved issue. We are optimistic that via the diplomatic discussions, based on historical evidence, maps and treaties, we can solve and we should solve it. We would not like to carry on the baggage of history and focus on the future. WION: Do you think SAARC can be replaced by BIMSTEC? Pradeep Gyawali: No I don't think so, because SAARC has its own history, own strength and its own perspective and it cannot be and should not be replaced by some other mechanism. Both BIMSTEC and SAARC move together and we should not look at it as something exclusive. They can be complementary and though we all know that there are some problems and misunderstandings we are optimistic that the member nations can avail new ways to mitigate the differences and revive the regional cooperation. Without strong regional cooperation, we cannot address the common problems we are facing. WION: Is cross-border terror the big challenge? Pradeep Gyawali: Terrorism is a common challenge to global humanity and it is not a threat to just a particular country. One should have an unconditional stance on terrorism. All forms and the manifestation of terrorism should be condemned. It should be resisted, it should be protested and there should be no ifs and buts. It is equally important to explore the new areas of cooperation because such cooperation adds value to our struggle against terrorism.

At Nepal's global summit, an invite for all SAARC nations; Nepal FM says SAARC is complimentary to BIMSTEC

Nepal's Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said India's ban on import of palm oil has been a worry for his country and Kathmandu has taken up the matter&nbsp;with New&nbsp;Delhi.&nbsp;Khatiwada spoke to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. Edited excerpts. &nbsp;

WION: How do u see the relationship between India and Nepal in terms of finance and trade?

Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada: we have a lot of interdependence between the two countries. Nepal's 2/3rd trade is from India and is our largest investment partner. India ports are our bridges to the&nbsp;world, and we have been working very closely with the Indian government. When the Indian economy performs well, we have trickle-down benefit in several areas and this includes investment opportunities. We like to see our neighbour prosper&nbsp;and we benefit from it. &nbsp;

 
WION: What kind of support you would like to see from New Delhi for your development needs?

Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada: It's a long menu. First is infrastructure connectivity. We are talking about better road connection, waterways&nbsp;and electricity transmission lines. They are happening, thanks to the government of India which has supported Nepal in better connectivity which includes an optical fibre. The second priority is trade relations. Nepal being a small economy like to get favourable treatment in terms of non-reciprocal treatment for some of our produces. Often times we may not able to compete in the market place. our products&nbsp;are very small and would like to see non-reciprocity in trade relations. Another area is trade facilitation, thanks to India for ICP. Exim bank is&nbsp;doing a lot of works&nbsp;in terms of leveraging our financial requirements.

 
WION: Demonetisation impacted you. Are the worries associated with it over?

Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada: The previous government should have approached the Indian government right on time. You know, now this is a standing issue. We don't want, to stick to that issue. Indian currency is regional currency, and large denomination currency notes which people can carry to Nepal should be managed in a better way so that in future we don't have to repeat such kind of problems. I should be looking forward, so that in a futuristic way, that any kind of problem that was created in the past should not be repeated so that new currency notes, large currency notes, were issued by India.

Nepal are not comfortable to carry the notes, with the fear that they will not be accepted back to India. We just want to see that currency management takes a smoother path.

Nepal's Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said India's ban on import of palm oil has been a worry for his country and Kathmandu has taken up the matter with New Delhi.

Nepal's Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada said India's ban on import of palm oil has been a worry for his country and Kathmandu has taken up the matter with New Delhi. Khatiwada spoke to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. Edited excerpts. WION: How do u see the relationship between India and Nepal in terms of finance and trade? Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada: we have a lot of interdependence between the two countries. Nepal's 2/3rd trade is from India and is our largest investment partner. India ports are our bridges to the world, and we have been working very closely with the Indian government. When the Indian economy performs well, we have trickle-down benefit in several areas and this includes investment opportunities. We like to see our neighbour prosper and we benefit from it. WION: What kind of support you would like to see from New Delhi for your development needs? Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada: It's a long menu. First is infrastructure connectivity. We are talking about better road connection, waterways and electricity transmission lines. They are happening, thanks to the government of India which has supported Nepal in better connectivity which includes an optical fibre. The second priority is trade relations. Nepal being a small economy like to get favourable treatment in terms of non-reciprocal treatment for some of our produces. Often times we may not able to compete in the market place. our products are very small and would like to see non-reciprocity in trade relations. Another area is trade facilitation, thanks to India for ICP. Exim bank is doing a lot of works in terms of leveraging our financial requirements. WION: Demonetisation impacted you. Are the worries associated with it over? Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada: The previous government should have approached the Indian government right on time. You know, now this is a standing issue. We don't want, to stick to that issue. Indian currency is regional currency, and large denomination currency notes which people can carry to Nepal should be managed in a better way so that in future we don't have to repeat such kind of problems. I should be looking forward, so that in a futuristic way, that any kind of problem that was created in the past should not be repeated so that new currency notes, large currency notes, were issued by India. Nepal are not comfortable to carry the notes, with the fear that they will not be accepted back to India. We just want to see that currency management takes a smoother path.

Nepal's finance minister urges India to reconsider palm oil import ban

Nepal on Saturday became the first South Asian nation to offer to "mediate" between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and cross-border terrorism with a Nepal government source underlining the importance of dialogue between the two arch-rivals to resolve their differences that could also lead to the revival of the SAARC.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiked since India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. India's decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy.

"Peaceful talks and discussions are the best ways to resolve any problems. There may be contradictions and differences but it can be resolved through dialogue. If necessary, we can play the role of the mediator as Nepal is an independent, neutral and peace loving country," the source said here.

The source, however, said that better solution to resolve the issues would be to develop better dialogue between two countries.

"We can be instrumental, but it will be better (for the two sides) to develop direct contact," the source told a group of visiting Indian journalists.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump repeated his offer to "help" resolve the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan during his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

New Delhi maintains that there is no scope for any third-party mediation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

"When we come together, sit together and share views then things will be resolved. In every situation, we have to sit together and try to resolve the problem otherwise things can be deteriorated," the Nepalese source said.

Expressing concern over the uncertainty prevailing over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, the source said the eight member grouping should be revitalised and misunderstandings should be removed.

"SAARC is not dead. It is alive. Only thing is that we have not met. Hope we can revive it," he said.

The last SAARC Summit in 2014 was held in Kathmandu, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 2016 SAARC summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances".

The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.

In the last three years, India has been distancing itself from the SAARC, citing security challenge facing the region from terror networks based in Pakistan, which is also a member of the grouping.

Nepal is still the Chairman of the SAARC because of the postponement of the 2016 summit in Islamabad.

On Friday, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said his country is "ready and eager" to handover the position to Pakistan.

The source said that there was no link between SAARC and terrorism, a major issue between India and Pakistan that led to the cancellation of the 2016 summit.

"We are strongly against all forms and manifestations of terrorism. But there is no relationship between the two (SAARC and terrorism). We cannot connect the two issues," the source said.

Nepal, India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are the members of the SAARC.

Identifying terrorism as a common threat to peace loving countries, the source said, "We have to deal with the issue of terrorism".

"I think that misunderstandings should be narrowed down and SAARC should be revitalised. It would be better to revise SAARC. I have told India that SAARC should be revitalised. We can find out amicable solutions," the source said.

SAARC summits are usually held biennially and hosted by member states in alphabetical order. The member state hosting the summit assumes the Chair of the Association. 
On the boundary issue with India, the source said the two countries can discuss any issue based on "truth, evidences and facts".

India in November released fresh maps of the newly-created union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. In the maps, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of Jammu and Kashmir, while Gilgit-Baltistan is in Ladakh.

Nepal claimed that Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani areas were shown under India's territory even though they lie within the Nepalese territory.

India has said the new map accurately depicts its sovereign territory and it has in no manner revised its boundary with Nepal.

"We can resolve any issue if we discuss. Sometimes some issues are left unresolved. We should not keep something in mind and don't speak out. This is not the situation now," the source said.

"We can share and discuss openly, including on the border issue. We are developing our friendly ties in a new track and depth," he said, adding that the leaders of the two sides have developed very good relations and taken the bilateral ties to the next level.

On National Register of Citizens (NRC) and its possible impact on Nepali speaking people and Gorkhas, the source said Nepal has been reassured by the statement of Defence

Minister Rajnath Singh that it would not have any impact on them.

"This is an issue of India and the people of India and they will resolve themselves," he added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Nepal on Saturday became the first South Asian nation to offer to "mediate" between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and cross-border terrorism with a Nepal government source underlining the importance of dialogue between the two arch-rivals to resolve their differences that could also lead to the revival of the SAARC.

Nepal on Saturday became the first South Asian nation to offer to "mediate" between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and cross-border terrorism with a Nepal government source underlining the importance of dialogue between the two arch-rivals to resolve their differences that could also lead to the revival of the SAARC. Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiked since India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. India's decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy. "Peaceful talks and discussions are the best ways to resolve any problems. There may be contradictions and differences but it can be resolved through dialogue. If necessary, we can play the role of the mediator as Nepal is an independent, neutral and peace loving country," the source said here. The source, however, said that better solution to resolve the issues would be to develop better dialogue between two countries. "We can be instrumental, but it will be better (for the two sides) to develop direct contact," the source told a group of visiting Indian journalists. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump repeated his offer to "help" resolve the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan during his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. New Delhi maintains that there is no scope for any third-party mediation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. "When we come together, sit together and share views then things will be resolved. In every situation, we have to sit together and try to resolve the problem otherwise things can be deteriorated," the Nepalese source said. Expressing concern over the uncertainty prevailing over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, the source said the eight member grouping should be revitalised and misunderstandings should be removed. "SAARC is not dead. It is alive. Only thing is that we have not met. Hope we can revive it," he said. The last SAARC Summit in 2014 was held in Kathmandu, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 2016 SAARC summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances". The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet. In the last three years, India has been distancing itself from the SAARC, citing security challenge facing the region from terror networks based in Pakistan, which is also a member of the grouping. Nepal is still the Chairman of the SAARC because of the postponement of the 2016 summit in Islamabad. On Friday, Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said his country is "ready and eager" to handover the position to Pakistan. The source said that there was no link between SAARC and terrorism, a major issue between India and Pakistan that led to the cancellation of the 2016 summit. "We are strongly against all forms and manifestations of terrorism. But there is no relationship between the two (SAARC and terrorism). We cannot connect the two issues," the source said. Nepal, India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are the members of the SAARC. Identifying terrorism as a common threat to peace loving countries, the source said, "We have to deal with the issue of terrorism". "I think that misunderstandings should be narrowed down and SAARC should be revitalised. It would be better to revise SAARC. I have told India that SAARC should be revitalised. We can find out amicable solutions," the source said. SAARC summits are usually held biennially and hosted by member states in alphabetical order. The member state hosting the summit assumes the Chair of the Association. On the boundary issue with India, the source said the two countries can discuss any issue based on "truth, evidences and facts". India in November released fresh maps of the newly-created union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. In the maps, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of Jammu and Kashmir, while Gilgit-Baltistan is in Ladakh. Nepal claimed that Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani areas were shown under India's territory even though they lie within the Nepalese territory. India has said the new map accurately depicts its sovereign territory and it has in no manner revised its boundary with Nepal. "We can resolve any issue if we discuss. Sometimes some issues are left unresolved. We should not keep something in mind and don't speak out. This is not the situation now," the source said. "We can share and discuss openly, including on the border issue. We are developing our friendly ties in a new track and depth," he said, adding that the leaders of the two sides have developed very good relations and taken the bilateral ties to the next level. On National Register of Citizens (NRC) and its possible impact on Nepali speaking people and Gorkhas, the source said Nepal has been reassured by the statement of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that it would not have any impact on them. "This is an issue of India and the people of India and they will resolve themselves," he added.

Nepal offers to play role of mediator between India and Pakistan

A South Korean rescue team searching for missing trekkers in Nepal with their drone technology said on Friday (January 24) that they had temporarily suspended the search operation due to adverse weather conditions.

South Korean rescue team stops search for missing trekkers in Nepal

Nepal is set to host a major summit sagarmatha sambad. What is interesting is that the country has invited all SAARC leaders including PM Modi for the event. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Kathmandu, Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada

WION Exclusively speaks to Nepal's Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada

Nepal is set to host a major summit sagarmatha sambad. What is interesting is that the country has invited all SAARC leaders including PM Modi for the event. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Kathmandu, Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on saarc said, that the grouping cant be replaced.

Nepal Invites PM Modi for Sagarmatha Sambaad

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Nepal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the first Sagarmatha Sambaad forum to be held here in April to deliberate on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance, Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said on Friday.

The first edition of the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ is scheduled to be held from April 2 to 4 on the theme “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” he told a group of visiting Indian reporters.

“We have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and are awaiting the confirmation,” Gyawali said.

He said leaders of all SAARC countries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, have been invited and Nepal would be happy to host all the regional leaders so that they can have discussions amongst themselves on the challenges facing the region.

The Sambaad (dialogue) is named after the world’s tallest mountain Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) which is also a symbol of friendship, Gyawali said.

Nepal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the first Sagarmatha Sambaad forum to be held here in April to deliberate on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance, Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said on Friday.

Nepal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the first Sagarmatha Sambaad forum to be held here in April to deliberate on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance, Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said on Friday. The first edition of the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ is scheduled to be held from April 2 to 4 on the theme “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” he told a group of visiting Indian reporters. “We have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and are awaiting the confirmation,” Gyawali said. He said leaders of all SAARC countries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, have been invited and Nepal would be happy to host all the regional leaders so that they can have discussions amongst themselves on the challenges facing the region. The Sambaad (dialogue) is named after the world’s tallest mountain Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) which is also a symbol of friendship, Gyawali said.

Nepal invites PM Narendra Modi for Sagarmatha dialogue

On the back of the outbreak of ‘Coronavirus’ in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the virus may also enter Nepal. It exclaimed that Nepal lacks proper healthcare institutes and research laboratories for treatment and diagnosis of highly infectious diseases caused by a coronavirus. Watch report:

WHO warns Nepal over Coronavirus

The week-long search operation for the four South Korean trekkers and their three Nepali associates, who went missing from the Annapurna region, has been suspended by the government.

Issuing a press release, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Thursday said that the operation was suspended due to weather conditions in the area and other safety concerns.

Long-line rescuers Dawa Finju Lama Bhote and Pimba Tenjing Lama Back from Annapurna Trekking Circuit had suggested that operations should be halted.

"In my opinion, it would be an exception if they are found alive. It has already been so long, I see lesser chances for them to be alive, on the basis of my experience. Probably they have been have been buried inside," Tenjing told ANI.

Nepal Army's High Altitude Rescue Force had been deployed on the site since Tuesday and had started digging snow in search of the seven missing trekkers.

Various governmental bodies along with the South Korean Embassy in Nepal and Korean Telecommunication Team have been continuing their efforts to locate the missing people since past one week.

"There is nothing we can do immediately for now. The amount of debris is quite high. We tried searching for the missing people who are suspected to be washed by an avalanche. Our recco-detector is not able to work properly because the snow debris is quite high. If the weather is sunny, then we can resume the search operation. But this looks very slim,"&nbsp;Dawa Finju Lama Bhote, another long-line Nepali rescuer said after briefing officials of Nepal Mountaineering Association.

As per experts who were in the Annapurna region for two days, the length of the avalanche area is estimated to be 250 metres and its width is between 50 to 80 metres.

"We have told them that the current circumstances are not favourable to search them. Nepal Army owns the authority for it and we suggested them to consult with their own team about it," Bhote said.

Nepal Mountaineering Association president Santa Bir Lama said that rescue dogs were roped in for the operation.

The seven missing people have been missing since Friday morning after an avalanche hit a section of famous Annapurna Trekking Circuit, commonly known as ABC.

Annapurna, the tenth highest mountain in the world attracts a large number of tourists all over the globe.

The avalanche hit area falling between Deurali and Macchapuchre Base Camp lies between 3,200 - 3,700 metres above sea level. 
&nbsp;

The week-long search operation for the four South Korean trekkers and their three Nepali associates, who went missing from the Annapurna region, has been suspended by the government.

The week-long search operation for the four South Korean trekkers and their three Nepali associates, who went missing from the Annapurna region, has been suspended by the government. Issuing a press release, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Thursday said that the operation was suspended due to weather conditions in the area and other safety concerns. Long-line rescuers Dawa Finju Lama Bhote and Pimba Tenjing Lama Back from Annapurna Trekking Circuit had suggested that operations should be halted. "In my opinion, it would be an exception if they are found alive. It has already been so long, I see lesser chances for them to be alive, on the basis of my experience. Probably they have been have been buried inside," Tenjing told ANI. Nepal Army's High Altitude Rescue Force had been deployed on the site since Tuesday and had started digging snow in search of the seven missing trekkers. Various governmental bodies along with the South Korean Embassy in Nepal and Korean Telecommunication Team have been continuing their efforts to locate the missing people since past one week. "There is nothing we can do immediately for now. The amount of debris is quite high. We tried searching for the missing people who are suspected to be washed by an avalanche. Our recco-detector is not able to work properly because the snow debris is quite high. If the weather is sunny, then we can resume the search operation. But this looks very slim," Dawa Finju Lama Bhote, another long-line Nepali rescuer said after briefing officials of Nepal Mountaineering Association. As per experts who were in the Annapurna region for two days, the length of the avalanche area is estimated to be 250 metres and its width is between 50 to 80 metres. "We have told them that the current circumstances are not favourable to search them. Nepal Army owns the authority for it and we suggested them to consult with their own team about it," Bhote said. Nepal Mountaineering Association president Santa Bir Lama said that rescue dogs were roped in for the operation. The seven missing people have been missing since Friday morning after an avalanche hit a section of famous Annapurna Trekking Circuit, commonly known as ABC. Annapurna, the tenth highest mountain in the world attracts a large number of tourists all over the globe. The avalanche hit area falling between Deurali and Macchapuchre Base Camp lies between 3,200 - 3,700 metres above sea level.

Nepal government suspends search operation for missing 7 trekkers

The mortal remains of eight Indian tourists, including four minors who died of possible asphyxiation in their room at a mountainous resort in Nepal, were flown back to their hometowns in Kerala on Thursday, senior officials said.

All formalities, including the postmortem, were completed on Wednesday night and the bodies were flown on two separate Air India flights from Kathmandu to New Delhi, according to sources at the Indian Embassy here.

The mortal remains of Praveen Krishnan Nair, his wife Saranya Sasi and their three children will be taken to Thiruvananthapuram from Delhi, and of Ranjith Kumar Adatholath Punathil, his wife Indu Lakshmi Peethambaran Ragalatha and their son to Kozhikode from Delhi.

"This was a very tragic incident," a senior Indian Embassy official told PTI here.

The victims were among a group of 15 tourists from Kerala who had checked into a resort in Daman, a popular tourist spot in Makawanpur district, some 70-km south of Kathmandu.

The group, after travelling to Pokhara -- a popular mountainous tourist destination -- was on their way back home and stayed at Everest Panorama Resort in Daman on Monday night.

According to the manager at the resort, Shiva KC, the families arrived in a reserved vehicle and were supposed to stay in the resort for only one night.

Although they had booked a total of four rooms, eight of them stayed in a room and turned on a gas heater for warmth, the manager said, adding that all the windows and the door of the room were bolted from inside.

All eight of them were found unconscious the next day morning when hotel staff went to deliver morning bed coffee. Doctors declared them brought dead when they were rushed to a hospital in Kathmandu on a helicopter.

Their postmortem was conducted at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital here on Wednesday.

The tragedy occurred as the two-decade-old resort does not have air conditioners, said Labsher Bista, the mayor of Thaha Municipality in the district.

Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has condoled the death and said he was deeply shocked to learn about the incident. He offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, government and people of India.

Meanwhile, Nepal's Department of Tourism has formed a five-member committee to investigate whether there were any lapses in the safety of tourists by the resort administration. The committee is required to submit the report within 15 days.

An official said that out of the seven who survived, two stayed back to accompany the bodies while others left.

Nair and Ranjit, both IT professionals, were engineering college classmates and the tour was arranged after a get-together with old friends in Delhi, a family member said.

Nair, who hails from Chempazhanthi in Thiruvananthapuram, was an engineer in Dubai, while his wife, Saranya, staying in Kochi along with 3 children and was a nursing student.

Ranjit was working in an IT firm at Thiruvananthapuram, while his wife, Indu, was an accountant in a cooperative bank at Kozhikode, a family member said. Ranjit's elder son Madhav had a lucky escape as he was sleeping in another room.&nbsp;

The mortal remains of eight Indian tourists, including four minors who died of possible asphyxiation in their room at a mountainous resort in Nepal, were flown back to their hometowns in Kerala on Thursday, senior officials said.

The mortal remains of eight Indian tourists, including four minors who died of possible asphyxiation in their room at a mountainous resort in Nepal, were flown back to their hometowns in Kerala on Thursday, senior officials said. All formalities, including the postmortem, were completed on Wednesday night and the bodies were flown on two separate Air India flights from Kathmandu to New Delhi, according to sources at the Indian Embassy here. The mortal remains of Praveen Krishnan Nair, his wife Saranya Sasi and their three children will be taken to Thiruvananthapuram from Delhi, and of Ranjith Kumar Adatholath Punathil, his wife Indu Lakshmi Peethambaran Ragalatha and their son to Kozhikode from Delhi. "This was a very tragic incident," a senior Indian Embassy official told PTI here. The victims were among a group of 15 tourists from Kerala who had checked into a resort in Daman, a popular tourist spot in Makawanpur district, some 70-km south of Kathmandu. The group, after travelling to Pokhara -- a popular mountainous tourist destination -- was on their way back home and stayed at Everest Panorama Resort in Daman on Monday night. According to the manager at the resort, Shiva KC, the families arrived in a reserved vehicle and were supposed to stay in the resort for only one night. Although they had booked a total of four rooms, eight of them stayed in a room and turned on a gas heater for warmth, the manager said, adding that all the windows and the door of the room were bolted from inside. All eight of them were found unconscious the next day morning when hotel staff went to deliver morning bed coffee. Doctors declared them brought dead when they were rushed to a hospital in Kathmandu on a helicopter. Their postmortem was conducted at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital here on Wednesday. The tragedy occurred as the two-decade-old resort does not have air conditioners, said Labsher Bista, the mayor of Thaha Municipality in the district. Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has condoled the death and said he was deeply shocked to learn about the incident. He offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, government and people of India. Meanwhile, Nepal's Department of Tourism has formed a five-member committee to investigate whether there were any lapses in the safety of tourists by the resort administration. The committee is required to submit the report within 15 days. An official said that out of the seven who survived, two stayed back to accompany the bodies while others left. Nair and Ranjit, both IT professionals, were engineering college classmates and the tour was arranged after a get-together with old friends in Delhi, a family member said. Nair, who hails from Chempazhanthi in Thiruvananthapuram, was an engineer in Dubai, while his wife, Saranya, staying in Kochi along with 3 children and was a nursing student. Ranjit was working in an IT firm at Thiruvananthapuram, while his wife, Indu, was an accountant in a cooperative bank at Kozhikode, a family member said. Ranjit's elder son Madhav had a lucky escape as he was sleeping in another room.

Mortal remains of 8 Indian tourists flown back to Kerala from Nepal

Nepal voters&nbsp;to elect 18 members of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-national-assembly-members-term-decided-through-lucky-draw-145380">Nepal's National Assembly</a> on Thursday in Kathmandu.

There are a total of 2,056 voters including 550 state assembly members and 1,506 mayors, deputy-mayors, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of local levels. A total of 45 candidates from six political parties are contesting in the election. The voting will end at 4 pm.

The National Assembly election is taking place in the district headquarters, where high courts of seven states are located, Morang, Dhanusha, Lalitpur, Kaski, Dang, Surkhet, and Doti.

District judges of these districts have been assigned as returning officers for the election.

Weight of a vote of state assembly member has been determined 48 while one vote of mayor, deputy-mayor of municipalities and chairperson and vice-chairperson carry a weight of 18.

The ballot paper for state-assembly members would have an election symbol with green ink while ballot papers for mayor and deputy mayor, as well as chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, would have election symbols with red-ink.

The term of 19 members of the 59-member National Assembly is terminating on March 3. Out of 19 members, the election is being held for 18 posts.

There is a constitutional provision that the President would nominate one NA member at the recommendation of the government.

The Election Commission has also directed the election officers to make proper arrangements for the counting of votes and declaration of election results.

"The more the election is free and fair, credible and acceptable to all, the more the governance system would become responsible, transparent, public-oriented and upright," the Commission stated in a release.

Nepal voters to elect 18 members of Nepal's National Assembly on Thursday in Kathmandu. There are a total of 2,056 voters including 550 state assembly members and 1,506 mayors, deputy-mayors, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of local levels.

Nepal voters to elect 18 members of Nepal's National Assembly on Thursday in Kathmandu. There are a total of 2,056 voters including 550 state assembly members and 1,506 mayors, deputy-mayors, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of local levels. A total of 45 candidates from six political parties are contesting in the election. The voting will end at 4 pm. The National Assembly election is taking place in the district headquarters, where high courts of seven states are located, Morang, Dhanusha, Lalitpur, Kaski, Dang, Surkhet, and Doti. District judges of these districts have been assigned as returning officers for the election. Weight of a vote of state assembly member has been determined 48 while one vote of mayor, deputy-mayor of municipalities and chairperson and vice-chairperson carry a weight of 18. The ballot paper for state-assembly members would have an election symbol with green ink while ballot papers for mayor and deputy mayor, as well as chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, would have election symbols with red-ink. The term of 19 members of the 59-member National Assembly is terminating on March 3. Out of 19 members, the election is being held for 18 posts. There is a constitutional provision that the President would nominate one NA member at the recommendation of the government. The Election Commission has also directed the election officers to make proper arrangements for the counting of votes and declaration of election results. "The more the election is free and fair, credible and acceptable to all, the more the governance system would become responsible, transparent, public-oriented and upright," the Commission stated in a release.

Nepal voters to elect 18 members of Nepal's National Assembly

Fifteen tourists from Kerala died&nbsp;after they fell unconscious due to gas leak from a heater in their room at a resort in Nepal.

Soon after they were found unconscious in their room, authorities airlifted them to a Kathmandu hospital where the staff declared them dead.

"All eight were airlifted and brought to hospital in Kathmandu. A doctor from the Indian mission was also immediately sent to the concerned hospital to check on the welfare of patients and to provide necessary assistance," the Indian Embassy stated. "We have now been informed that all eight patients did not survive," they added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-retains-top-spot-in-sdg-index-bihar-ranks-last-niti-aayog-271251">Kerala retains top spot in SDG Index, Bihar ranks last: NITI Aayog</a>

The victims were identified as Praveen Krishnan Nair, Saranya Sasi, Sreebhadra Praveen, Aarcha Praveen, Abhinav Saranya Nair, Ranjith Kumar Adatholath Punathil, Indu Lakshmi Peethambaran Ragalatha and Vyshnav Ranjith.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed "deep grief" over the incident, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said. On the basis of the directions given by the Chief Minister, NORKA (Non Resident Keralite Affairs) officials have got in touch with the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

The bodies are expected to be brought to the state tomorrow after post-mortem, the statement added.

The deceased - two couples and four children - were part of a group of 15 people travelling from Kerala to Pokhara, a popular mountainous tourist destination.

They were on their way back home and stayed at Everest Panorama Resort in Daman in Makawanpur district on Monday night. According to the manager at the resort, the guests stayed in a room and turned on a gas heater to keep themselves warm.

Although they had booked a total of four rooms, eight of them stayed in a room and remaining others in another room, the manager said, adding that all the windows and the door of the room were bolted from inside.

The Indian mission has assured all necessary assistance to the family members of the victims.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fifteen tourists from Kerala died after they fell unconscious due to gas leak from a heater in their room at a resort in Nepal. Soon after they were found unconscious in their room, authorities airlifted them to a Kathmandu hospital where the staff declared them dead.

Fifteen tourists from Kerala died after they fell unconscious due to gas leak from a heater in their room at a resort in Nepal. Soon after they were found unconscious in their room, authorities airlifted them to a Kathmandu hospital where the staff declared them dead. "All eight were airlifted and brought to hospital in Kathmandu. A doctor from the Indian mission was also immediately sent to the concerned hospital to check on the welfare of patients and to provide necessary assistance," the Indian Embassy stated. "We have now been informed that all eight patients did not survive," they added. Also Read: Kerala retains top spot in SDG Index, Bihar ranks last: NITI Aayog The victims were identified as Praveen Krishnan Nair, Saranya Sasi, Sreebhadra Praveen, Aarcha Praveen, Abhinav Saranya Nair, Ranjith Kumar Adatholath Punathil, Indu Lakshmi Peethambaran Ragalatha and Vyshnav Ranjith. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed "deep grief" over the incident, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said. On the basis of the directions given by the Chief Minister, NORKA (Non Resident Keralite Affairs) officials have got in touch with the Indian Embassy in Nepal. The bodies are expected to be brought to the state tomorrow after post-mortem, the statement added. The deceased - two couples and four children - were part of a group of 15 people travelling from Kerala to Pokhara, a popular mountainous tourist destination. They were on their way back home and stayed at Everest Panorama Resort in Daman in Makawanpur district on Monday night. According to the manager at the resort, the guests stayed in a room and turned on a gas heater to keep themselves warm. Although they had booked a total of four rooms, eight of them stayed in a room and remaining others in another room, the manager said, adding that all the windows and the door of the room were bolted from inside. The Indian mission has assured all necessary assistance to the family members of the victims. (With inputs from agencies)

Kerala CM expresses 'deep grief' after 8 Indians die due to possible gas leak in Nepal

India has remained a credible partner in the all-round development of Nepal and the two countries are working on several <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-nepalese-counterpart-kp-oli-jointly-inaugurates-cross-border-pipeline-248759">cross-border connectivity projects</a> such as road, rail, and transmission lines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he jointly inaugurated with his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar

<img alt="Prime Minister Narendra Modi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d2add81-c30d-4d18-acc9-c9062c13e82e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2814%29_10.jpg" /> 
[ Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Courtesy: ANI) ]

"India has always played the role of a credible partner in the all-round <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/motihari-amlekhganj-oil-pipeline-india-nepal-energy-diplomacy-underway-as-china-pushes-bri-248876">development of Nepal</a>. The Neighbourhood first has remained the priority of our government. Enhancing cross border connectivity is the primary component of this," PM Modi said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nepal-seeks-indias-help-to-strengthen-its-hydropower-sector-250266">Nepal seeks India's help to strengthen its hydropower sector</a>

The Prime Minister said that India is committed to simplifying and easing traffic with all friendly countries in the neighborhood and to further facilitate contacts between us in areas such as business, culture, education, among other areas.

"Integrated check posts at major border points between our countries are greatly facilitating mutual trade and movement," Modi said.

The check post has been built with India's assistance in a bid to facilitate trade and people's movement between two countries, PMO India had said in a tweet. This is the second ICP on the Nepal border. The first was built at the Raxaul-Birgunj border in 2018.

India has remained a credible partner in the all-round development of Nepal and the two countries are working on several cross-border connectivity projects such as road, rail, and transmission lines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he jointly inaugurated with his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar [ Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Courtesy: ANI) ] "India has always played the role of a credible partner in the all-round development of Nepal.

India has remained a credible partner in the all-round development of Nepal and the two countries are working on several cross-border connectivity projects such as road, rail, and transmission lines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday as he jointly inaugurated with his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar [ Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Courtesy: ANI) ] "India has always played the role of a credible partner in the all-round development of Nepal. The Neighbourhood first has remained the priority of our government. Enhancing cross border connectivity is the primary component of this," PM Modi said. Also Read: Nepal seeks India's help to strengthen its hydropower sector The Prime Minister said that India is committed to simplifying and easing traffic with all friendly countries in the neighborhood and to further facilitate contacts between us in areas such as business, culture, education, among other areas. "Integrated check posts at major border points between our countries are greatly facilitating mutual trade and movement," Modi said. The check post has been built with India's assistance in a bid to facilitate trade and people's movement between two countries, PMO India had said in a tweet. This is the second ICP on the Nepal border. The first was built at the Raxaul-Birgunj border in 2018.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli will on Tuesday jointly inaugurate the second Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar, built with Indian assistance to facilitate trade and people's movement.

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Boosting friendship with Nepal. Watch. <a href="https://t.co/tVLuJcCMcO">https://t.co/tVLuJcCMcO</a>
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The Prime Minister's Office here had on Monday said that the two Prime <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-nepalese-counterpart-kp-oli-jointly-inaugurates-cross-border-pipeline-248759">Ministers will jointly inaugurate</a> the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar border <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pm-modi%27s-nepal-visit-to-focus-on-faith-diplomacy--135958">between the two countries</a> on Tuesday.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-narendra-modi-to-visit-nepal-to-rebuild-india-nepal-ties--135918">PM Narendra Modi to visit Nepal to rebuild India-Nepal ties</a>

<img alt="Narendra Modi, KP Sharma Oli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2f033d54-154a-44b7-941c-3da0f554958d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2813%29_8.jpg" /> 
[ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli (Courtesy: ANI) ]

The check post has been built with India's assistance in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pm-modi-has-changed-tack-cooperated-closely-with-nepal-178364">a bid to facilitate trade</a> and people's movement between two countries, PMO India had said in a tweet. 
This is the second ICP on the Nepal border. The first was built at the Raxaul-Birgunj border in 2018.

Both Prime Ministers will also witness the remarkable progress in Indian government-assisted post-earthquake housing reconstruction projects in Nepal. The Indian government had committed to building as many as 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, of which 45,000 have already been built.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli will on Tuesday jointly inaugurate the second Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar, built with Indian assistance to facilitate trade and people's movement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli will on Tuesday jointly inaugurate the second Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar, built with Indian assistance to facilitate trade and people's movement. Boosting friendship with Nepal. Watch. https://t.co/tVLuJcCMcO — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2020 × The Prime Minister's Office here had on Monday said that the two Prime Ministers will jointly inaugurate the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar border between the two countries on Tuesday. Also Read: PM Narendra Modi to visit Nepal to rebuild India-Nepal ties [ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli (Courtesy: ANI) ] The check post has been built with India's assistance in a bid to facilitate trade and people's movement between two countries, PMO India had said in a tweet. This is the second ICP on the Nepal border. The first was built at the Raxaul-Birgunj border in 2018. Both Prime Ministers will also witness the remarkable progress in Indian government-assisted post-earthquake housing reconstruction projects in Nepal. The Indian government had committed to building as many as 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, of which 45,000 have already been built.

Modi, Oli to jointly inaugurate Jogbani-Biratnagar check post today

Rescuers began digging through several feet snow at two mountainside locations in Nepal on Tuesday where four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides are thought to be trapped, officials said.

The hikers have been missing since Friday, after being swept away by an avalanche during a trek in the region of Mount Annapurna, the world's tenth highest mountain.

Nepal Tourism Board official Nandini Thapa said army rescuers, who were ferried in by helicopter, had already started digging.

"It is very deep ice and the work would take time," Thapa said.

Army official Gokul Bhandari said the nine rescuers would spend the night there and continue the search early on Wednesday.

The operation could take several weeks as the avalanche had dumped up to 12 feet (3.6 metres) at the site of the disaster, about 150 km (90 miles) northwest of the capital Kathmandu, rescuer Bijay K.C. said.

The incident comes as the winter trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest, is drawing to a close this month.

In 2018, five South Koreans and four Nepali guides on a Himalayan climbing expedition were flung to their deaths after a huge block of ice crashed over a cliff into a narrow mountain gorge.

Rescuers began digging through several feet snow at two mountainside locations in Nepal on Tuesday where four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides are thought to be trapped, officials said.

Rescuers began digging through several feet snow at two mountainside locations in Nepal on Tuesday where four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides are thought to be trapped, officials said. The hikers have been missing since Friday, after being swept away by an avalanche during a trek in the region of Mount Annapurna, the world's tenth highest mountain. Nepal Tourism Board official Nandini Thapa said army rescuers, who were ferried in by helicopter, had already started digging. "It is very deep ice and the work would take time," Thapa said. Army official Gokul Bhandari said the nine rescuers would spend the night there and continue the search early on Wednesday. The operation could take several weeks as the avalanche had dumped up to 12 feet (3.6 metres) at the site of the disaster, about 150 km (90 miles) northwest of the capital Kathmandu, rescuer Bijay K.C. said. The incident comes as the winter trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest, is drawing to a close this month. In 2018, five South Koreans and four Nepali guides on a Himalayan climbing expedition were flung to their deaths after a huge block of ice crashed over a cliff into a narrow mountain gorge.

Rescuers dig for trekkers missing in Nepal avalanche

Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, announced her resignation from the post on Monday afternoon. Tumbahangphe's resignation came shortly after she chaired the House meeting at 1 pm (Local Time) on Monday.

"In order to vent this confusion, I have been minutely observing ongoing discussions. Majority owing party in House Of Representatives have claimed leadership; facilitation of proceeding as per our constitutional and legal practices," Tumbahangphe said while addressing the House meeting.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-ruling-party-remains-undecided-over-new-house-speaker-273706">Nepal's ruling party remains undecided over new House Speaker</a>

Ruling Nepal Communist Party has fielded Agni Prasad Sapkota as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepali-parliament-to-start-process-to-pick-new-speaker-next-week-269419">candidate for the Speaker of the House</a>. Opposition Nepali Congress is yet to decide over the candidate it would file for the post.

The post of Nepal's Parliament has remained vacant since early October 2019 when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-court-orders-judicial-custody-to-former-house-speaker-on-rape-charges-260059">Krisha Bahadur Mahara</a> had to resign from the post following the allegations of rape.

Article 91 (2) of the constitution has the mandatory provision of electing the speaker and deputy speaker from different political parties and gender.

Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, announced her resignation from the post on Monday afternoon. Tumbahangphe's resignation came shortly after she chaired the House meeting at 1 pm (Local Time) on Monday.

Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, announced her resignation from the post on Monday afternoon. Tumbahangphe's resignation came shortly after she chaired the House meeting at 1 pm (Local Time) on Monday. "In order to vent this confusion, I have been minutely observing ongoing discussions. Majority owing party in House Of Representatives have claimed leadership; facilitation of proceeding as per our constitutional and legal practices," Tumbahangphe said while addressing the House meeting. Also Read: Nepal's ruling party remains undecided over new House Speaker Ruling Nepal Communist Party has fielded Agni Prasad Sapkota as the candidate for the Speaker of the House. Opposition Nepali Congress is yet to decide over the candidate it would file for the post. The post of Nepal's Parliament has remained vacant since early October 2019 when Krisha Bahadur Mahara had to resign from the post following the allegations of rape. Article 91 (2) of the constitution has the mandatory provision of electing the speaker and deputy speaker from different political parties and gender.

Nepal Deputy House Speaker Tumbahangphe resigns

Nepal Army on Monday deployed a helicopter to assist search and rescue operations in the avalanche hit Annapurna region from where seven people had gone missing since Friday morning.

Department of Tourism Official Mira Acharya confirmed that the Nepal Army has deployed its helicopter from Pokhara to search and rescue missing four Koreans and three Nepali near the Annapurna Base Camp.

<img alt="Avalanche" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="54eac001-7d40-416b-8d75-d0e5aab8ba54" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2816%29_8.jpg" /> 
[ Representative Image (Courtesy: ANI) ]

"Today from 7 in the morning, a team comprising Nepal Army's Rescue Team, Tourism Department, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Himalayan Rescue Association, TAAN-Kathmandu's Representatives flew to Pokhara from Kathmandu then flew to the site of the incident.

Upon reaching there we tried three to four times to take our team onto the ground and make attempt to search the missing ones but it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-authorities-call-off-search-operation-to-rescue-seven-trekkers-including-4-south-koreans-275562">not possible</a>. There was continuous and heavy snowfall and the area which was at first hit by an avalanche is continuously hit by snow slides because of which our team was not able to work on the search operation," Acharya, Director of Mountaineering, Hotel and Monitoring Section of Department of Tourism, Nepal stated.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/2-foreign-trekkers-missing-in-northern-nepal-253384">2 foreign trekkers missing in northern Nepal</a>

A total of nine Army officials were present in the group that went to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-avalanche-nearly-200-rescued-from-mt-everest-and-annapurna-275170">avalanche</a> area on Monday. "In the course of this time South Korean Ambassador, concerned Chief District Officers and other officials were present there for the observation and site-seeing of the area as well as effort. Our team has flown back for today and we are under consultation about the steps that are to be undertaken," Acharya further added.

After the recommendation from the Department of Tourism's emergency rescue meeting of Sunday the Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Ministry had requested the Nepal Army to help in the search and rescue operation.

Despite the ongoing effort to locate and rescue the missing personnel from one of the most famed trekking routes in the Himalayan Nation, no progress has been made so far. Frequent avalanches in the area of the incident have been creating a problem in the search and rescue operation for the missing trekkers.

"We have requested (Nepal) Army's helicopter and was sent there (Pokhara) from here (Kathmandu). Along with the helicopter, Army's High Altitude Rescue and a search team were sent over to the field in that helicopter. The team was well equipped with a search and rescue device. But we couldn't carry on our work there; we have to return because of the weather condition. We are working on over how we can work over it," Department of Tourism Official Mira Acharya said.

An area that lies between Annapurna village council-11 Himalaya and Deurali of Kaski district was hit by an avalanche on Friday afternoon after heavy snowfall in the area which has left seven people missing.

A total of five choppers now has been deployed on to search and locate the missing ones they only can take a round of presumed area from where trekkers are supposed to be missing.

A search team deployed on Friday to take the tool on foot to the area of the incident on Sunday reached the area but could not find any clue about whereabouts of the missing personnel. The avalanche hit the area between Deurali and Macchapuchre Base Camp lying between 3200- 3700 meters above the sea level.

Nepal Army on Monday deployed a helicopter to assist search and rescue operations in the avalanche hit Annapurna region from where seven people had gone missing since Friday morning.

Nepal Army on Monday deployed a helicopter to assist search and rescue operations in the avalanche hit Annapurna region from where seven people had gone missing since Friday morning. Department of Tourism Official Mira Acharya confirmed that the Nepal Army has deployed its helicopter from Pokhara to search and rescue missing four Koreans and three Nepali near the Annapurna Base Camp. [ Representative Image (Courtesy: ANI) ] "Today from 7 in the morning, a team comprising Nepal Army's Rescue Team, Tourism Department, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Himalayan Rescue Association, TAAN-Kathmandu's Representatives flew to Pokhara from Kathmandu then flew to the site of the incident. Upon reaching there we tried three to four times to take our team onto the ground and make attempt to search the missing ones but it was not possible. There was continuous and heavy snowfall and the area which was at first hit by an avalanche is continuously hit by snow slides because of which our team was not able to work on the search operation," Acharya, Director of Mountaineering, Hotel and Monitoring Section of Department of Tourism, Nepal stated. Also Read: 2 foreign trekkers missing in northern Nepal A total of nine Army officials were present in the group that went to the avalanche area on Monday. "In the course of this time South Korean Ambassador, concerned Chief District Officers and other officials were present there for the observation and site-seeing of the area as well as effort. Our team has flown back for today and we are under consultation about the steps that are to be undertaken," Acharya further added. After the recommendation from the Department of Tourism's emergency rescue meeting of Sunday the Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Ministry had requested the Nepal Army to help in the search and rescue operation. Despite the ongoing effort to locate and rescue the missing personnel from one of the most famed trekking routes in the Himalayan Nation, no progress has been made so far. Frequent avalanches in the area of the incident have been creating a problem in the search and rescue operation for the missing trekkers. "We have requested (Nepal) Army's helicopter and was sent there (Pokhara) from here (Kathmandu). Along with the helicopter, Army's High Altitude Rescue and a search team were sent over to the field in that helicopter. The team was well equipped with a search and rescue device. But we couldn't carry on our work there; we have to return because of the weather condition. We are working on over how we can work over it," Department of Tourism Official Mira Acharya said. An area that lies between Annapurna village council-11 Himalaya and Deurali of Kaski district was hit by an avalanche on Friday afternoon after heavy snowfall in the area which has left seven people missing. A total of five choppers now has been deployed on to search and locate the missing ones they only can take a round of presumed area from where trekkers are supposed to be missing. A search team deployed on Friday to take the tool on foot to the area of the incident on Sunday reached the area but could not find any clue about whereabouts of the missing personnel. The avalanche hit the area between Deurali and Macchapuchre Base Camp lying between 3200- 3700 meters above the sea level.

Nepal Army helicopter deployed to search for missing trekkers in Annapurna region

Rescuers in Nepal called off efforts on Monday&nbsp;to find seven people, including four South Korean trekkers, after fresh avalanches hit the Annapurna region where the group went missing last week, Director, Mountaineering, Department of Tourism, Nepal, Mira Acharya said.

Three Nepali guides were among the group struck by an avalanche on Friday along the popular trekking route at the base of Mount Annapurna, the world's 10th highest mountain, at 8,091 metres (26,545 feet).

"The team was well equipped with search and rescue devices but we couldn't carry on our work there, we had to return because of the weather conditions," Acharya said. "We are working over how we can proceed on this," she added.

About 200 people, including 140 foreign hikers, were evacuated from the area at the weekend.

Avalanches and bad weather had also prevented a search on Sunday by seven rescuers from the Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal, who reached the site at Deurali, about 150 km (90 miles) northwest of the capital, Kathmandu.

A helicopter equipped with a device to track signs of the trekkers in the snow also failed to pinpoint where the group of seven went missing.

The winter trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest, is drawing to a close this month. Nepal gets four percent of its GDP from tourism including trekking.

Rescuers in Nepal called off efforts on Monday to find seven people, including four South Korean trekkers, after fresh avalanches hit the Annapurna region where the group went missing last week, Director, Mountaineering, Department of Tourism, Nepal, Mira Acharya said.

Rescuers in Nepal called off efforts on Monday to find seven people, including four South Korean trekkers, after fresh avalanches hit the Annapurna region where the group went missing last week, Director, Mountaineering, Department of Tourism, Nepal, Mira Acharya said. Three Nepali guides were among the group struck by an avalanche on Friday along the popular trekking route at the base of Mount Annapurna, the world's 10th highest mountain, at 8,091 metres (26,545 feet). "The team was well equipped with search and rescue devices but we couldn't carry on our work there, we had to return because of the weather conditions," Acharya said. "We are working over how we can proceed on this," she added. About 200 people, including 140 foreign hikers, were evacuated from the area at the weekend. Avalanches and bad weather had also prevented a search on Sunday by seven rescuers from the Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal, who reached the site at Deurali, about 150 km (90 miles) northwest of the capital, Kathmandu. A helicopter equipped with a device to track signs of the trekkers in the snow also failed to pinpoint where the group of seven went missing. The winter trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest, is drawing to a close this month. Nepal gets four percent of its GDP from tourism including trekking.

Nepal: Authorities call off search operation to rescue seven trekkers including 4 South Koreans

Heavy&nbsp;snow, chilling winds and poor visibility hampered the&nbsp;search&nbsp;Sunday for four South Koreans and three Nepalis caught in an avalanche in the popular <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-avalanche-nearly-200-rescued-from-mt-everest-and-annapurna-275170">Annapurna</a> region of the Himalayas, officials said.

Relatives of the&nbsp;missing&nbsp;Koreans have arrived in <a>Kathmandu</a> alongside several officials sent by Seoul to help with the emergency rescue efforts, Ang Dorjee Sherpa of the&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;Alpine Federation said.

The&nbsp;missing&nbsp;group was near the Annapurna base camp around 3,230 meters (10,600 feet) above sea level when the avalanche struck after&nbsp;heavy&nbsp;snowfall on Friday.

"Search&nbsp;and rescue efforts are underway but weather and&nbsp;snow&nbsp;in the area have made it difficult to make much progress," said Mira Acharya from&nbsp;Nepal's tourism department.&nbsp;

Helicopters were sent out on Saturday to rescue about 200 people stranded around Annapurna and other nearby mountains after the incident.

Photos from the area shared on social media showed guesthouses along the trekking route blanketed in a thick layer of&nbsp;snow.

Tek Gurung, a guesthouse owner aiding in the&nbsp;search&nbsp;operation, said more than two meters of&nbsp;snow&nbsp;(6.6 feet) had fallen on the hiking trails.

"We have been searching since yesterday but have not found anything yet. It is very windy and snowy here, to&nbsp;search&nbsp;the&nbsp;snow-covered areas on foot is difficult," Gurung said.

"There are still masses of&nbsp;snow&nbsp;falling from above."

<img alt="Trekkers arrive after a rescue operation from the Annapurna circuit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="135a8a31-837b-4b83-ad08-f5c4acc5f821" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2830%29_5.jpg" /> 
[ Trekkers arrive after a rescue operation from the Annapurna circuit (Courtesy: AFP) ]

Six of the&nbsp;missing&nbsp;were part of the same expedition, while one Nepali porter was escorting a different group.&nbsp;

The four foreigners which include two men and two women were part of an 11-member team of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/four-south-korean-trekkers-among-seven-missing-in-nepal-avalanche-275074">South&nbsp;Korean</a>&nbsp;nationals.&nbsp;

"The rest of the team are unhurt and have safely come down. We are coordinating to make the&nbsp;search&nbsp;operation effective," said Dilip Gurung of the tourism management committee in Chhomrong, which lies on the trekking route.

Education officials in Seoul said they were part of a team of volunteer teachers working with children in&nbsp;Nepal.&nbsp;

Two more South Koreans were due to arrive in&nbsp;Nepal&nbsp;on Sunday to help with the&nbsp;search, the country's foreign ministry said.

Sherpa said it had snowed heavily around Annapurna in recent days, making the trek risky.

"The weather and&nbsp;snow&nbsp;got worse and, feeling it was becoming dangerous and difficult, they decided to turn. As they were heading back the avalanche hit," Sherpa said&nbsp;on Saturday.

Annapurna is an avalanche-prone and technically difficult mountain range with a higher death rate than Everest, the world's highest peak.&nbsp;

Thousands of&nbsp;trekkers&nbsp;visit the route every year for its stunning views of the Himalayas.

A&nbsp;snowstorm&nbsp;killed about 40 people on the circuit in 2014, in one of the biggest trekking tragedies to hit&nbsp;Nepal.

Heavy snow, chilling winds and poor visibility hampered the search Sunday for four South Koreans and three Nepalis caught in an avalanche in the popular Annapurna region of the Himalayas, officials said.

Heavy snow, chilling winds and poor visibility hampered the search Sunday for four South Koreans and three Nepalis caught in an avalanche in the popular Annapurna region of the Himalayas, officials said. Relatives of the missing Koreans have arrived in Kathmandu alongside several officials sent by Seoul to help with the emergency rescue efforts, Ang Dorjee Sherpa of the Korean Alpine Federation said. The missing group was near the Annapurna base camp around 3,230 meters (10,600 feet) above sea level when the avalanche struck after heavy snowfall on Friday. "Search and rescue efforts are underway but weather and snow in the area have made it difficult to make much progress," said Mira Acharya from Nepal's tourism department. Helicopters were sent out on Saturday to rescue about 200 people stranded around Annapurna and other nearby mountains after the incident. Photos from the area shared on social media showed guesthouses along the trekking route blanketed in a thick layer of snow. Tek Gurung, a guesthouse owner aiding in the search operation, said more than two meters of snow (6.6 feet) had fallen on the hiking trails. "We have been searching since yesterday but have not found anything yet. It is very windy and snowy here, to search the snow-covered areas on foot is difficult," Gurung said. "There are still masses of snow falling from above." [ Trekkers arrive after a rescue operation from the Annapurna circuit (Courtesy: AFP) ] Six of the missing were part of the same expedition, while one Nepali porter was escorting a different group. The four foreigners which include two men and two women were part of an 11-member team of South Korean nationals. "The rest of the team are unhurt and have safely come down. We are coordinating to make the search operation effective," said Dilip Gurung of the tourism management committee in Chhomrong, which lies on the trekking route. Education officials in Seoul said they were part of a team of volunteer teachers working with children in Nepal. Two more South Koreans were due to arrive in Nepal on Sunday to help with the search, the country's foreign ministry said. Sherpa said it had snowed heavily around Annapurna in recent days, making the trek risky. "The weather and snow got worse and, feeling it was becoming dangerous and difficult, they decided to turn. As they were heading back the avalanche hit," Sherpa said on Saturday. Annapurna is an avalanche-prone and technically difficult mountain range with a higher death rate than Everest, the world's highest peak. Thousands of trekkers visit the route every year for its stunning views of the Himalayas. A snowstorm killed about 40 people on the circuit in 2014, in one of the biggest trekking tragedies to hit Nepal.

Heavy snow hampers search for missing South Korean, Nepal trekkers

Seven&nbsp;trekkers, including&nbsp;four&nbsp;South&nbsp;Koreans, went&nbsp;missing&nbsp;in&nbsp;Nepal's northwest Himalayan region after an&nbsp;avalanche&nbsp;hit their trail, local police and hiking officials said on Saturday.

The area where the&nbsp;avalanche&nbsp;struck the group, which also included three local guides, is estimated to be about 150 km (93.21 miles) northwest of&nbsp;Nepali capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/worlds-shortest-man-khagendra-thapa-magar-dies-in-nepal-at-27-274952">Kathmandu</a>, according to the officials. The&nbsp;avalanche&nbsp;was triggered by heavy rain and snowfall, they said.

"Four&nbsp;of our&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;clients, who were trekking in the Annapurna region are not in contact and are&nbsp;missing&nbsp;since an&nbsp;avalanche&nbsp;struck them on Friday," Sandesh Pandey, who runs the tour company which organized the hike, told reporters.

Mount Annapurna, in northwest&nbsp;Nepal, is the world's tenth highest mountain at 8,091 meters (26,545 feet) and its base camp is popular with thousands of&nbsp;trekkers&nbsp;who visit annually.

The three&nbsp;Nepali guides are also not reachable, said Mira Acharya, a tourism department official in Kathmandu.

Four&nbsp;helicopters have been deployed for the search and rescue mission with police and local volunteers also looking for the&nbsp;trekkers, Acharya said, adding, however, that rough weather conditions were making the operation difficult.

The incident comes as the annual trekking season in&nbsp;Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountain peaks including Mount Everest, is drawing to a close.

It could potentially dampen the mood for the Himalayan nation's tourism industry, yet to recover from a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people in 2015 including 18 climbers and their guides at the base camp of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/satellite-images-find-grass-shrubs-in-mount-everest-273403">Mount Everest</a>.

Cash-strapped&nbsp;Nepal&nbsp;earns 4 per cent&nbsp;of GDP through income from tourists.

About 8 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million tourists who visited the country in 2019 went hiking or mountain climbing, according to official estimates.

Separately,&nbsp;four&nbsp;rescue helicopters on Saturday evacuated nearly 200&nbsp;trekkers&nbsp;in the Annapurna region about 140 of them foreigners&nbsp;to safer locations, police said. Their nationalities are not yet known.

Seven trekkers, including four South Koreans, went missing in Nepal's northwest Himalayan region after an avalanche hit their trail, local police and hiking officials said on Saturday.

Seven trekkers, including four South Koreans, went missing in Nepal's northwest Himalayan region after an avalanche hit their trail, local police and hiking officials said on Saturday. The area where the avalanche struck the group, which also included three local guides, is estimated to be about 150 km (93.21 miles) northwest of Nepali capital Kathmandu, according to the officials. The avalanche was triggered by heavy rain and snowfall, they said. "Four of our Korean clients, who were trekking in the Annapurna region are not in contact and are missing since an avalanche struck them on Friday," Sandesh Pandey, who runs the tour company which organized the hike, told reporters. Mount Annapurna, in northwest Nepal, is the world's tenth highest mountain at 8,091 meters (26,545 feet) and its base camp is popular with thousands of trekkers who visit annually. The three Nepali guides are also not reachable, said Mira Acharya, a tourism department official in Kathmandu. Four helicopters have been deployed for the search and rescue mission with police and local volunteers also looking for the trekkers, Acharya said, adding, however, that rough weather conditions were making the operation difficult. The incident comes as the annual trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountain peaks including Mount Everest, is drawing to a close. It could potentially dampen the mood for the Himalayan nation's tourism industry, yet to recover from a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people in 2015 including 18 climbers and their guides at the base camp of Mount Everest. Cash-strapped Nepal earns 4 per cent of GDP through income from tourists. About 8 per cent of the nearly 1.1 million tourists who visited the country in 2019 went hiking or mountain climbing, according to official estimates. Separately, four rescue helicopters on Saturday evacuated nearly 200 trekkers in the Annapurna region about 140 of them foreigners to safer locations, police said. Their nationalities are not yet known.

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