Brazil urges Nepal to reconsider embassy closure

Brazil has voiced its concern over Nepal's decision to shutter its embassy in Brasilia, with the South American nation's ambassador-designate formally requesting the government reconsider the move. Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins met with Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on Monday, an unusual step taken before presenting credentials, to convey Brazil's urgent message.

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He requested us to reconsider our decision.

Nepal's government plans to close its embassies in Brazil, Denmark, and South Africa, as well as consulates general in San Francisco, Dallas, and Chengdu. The decision, aimed at cutting costs and managing diplomatic workload amid economic constraints, has been described as temporary. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chettri assured that diplomatic presence would be expanded again in the future as the country's economic capacity improves.

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We will expand our diplomatic presence again in the future as necessary, once the country’s economic capacity improves.

Nepal's sole diplomatic mission in South America is its embassy in Brazil, which also serves as a hub for consular and passport services for citizens across the region. The Foreign Ministry has informed the host governments of the planned closures. Officials are working to establish alternative arrangements to ensure services for Nepali citizens and foreign nationals are not disrupted during the transition.

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Before closing these missions, work is underway to ensure effective and reliable alternative arrangements for Nepali citizens, other service recipients, and countries where Nepal has concurrent accreditation in the respective regions.