Tourism Minister Pandey met with Ministers of Bhutan and Cambodia

KATHMANDU, Aug 29:While visited India, Badri Prasad Pandey, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, met separately with the ministers of Bhutan and Cambodia.

He spoke with the Gujarat Chief Ministers on bringing religious visitors to Nepal and flying to Gautam Budh and Pokhara airports.

He discussed the sideline meeting during the 8th International Dharma-Dhamma conference in Gujarat, India.

Minister Pandey met with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Bhutanese Home Minister Tshiring, and Cambodia's Minister of State for Culture and Religion, Nagun Sedikides.

The meeting with Chief Minister Pattel focused on bilateral interests and concerns. The centuries-long religious, cultural, and historical ties between Nepal and India were highlighted.

Tourism Minister Pandey discussed how to make the connection between India's Somnath Dham and Pashupatinath Dham more accessible to the public.

Minister Pandey informed the meeting that multinational airlines seeking to run aviation services in Pokhara and Lumbini have been granted concessions on a variety of charges, including fuel, and have been urged to fly straight from Gujarat to Pokhara.

He briefed about the prospect of luring religious tourists that travel to Muktinath Darshan via Pokhara, Nepal's tourist capital.

In a meeting with Cambodia's Minister of State for Culture and Religion, Nagun Sedpikad, Minister Pandey emphasized the historical significance of Lord Buddha's birth in Nepal and the spread of Buddhism in Cambodia, urging Cambodian Buddhists to create an environment conducive to visiting the Buddha's birthplace.

Minister Pandey stated that more than 90% of Cambodians are Buddhists and underlined the importance of expanding communication and relationships between Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, and Cambodia, where Buddhism.

He requested that Bhutan's Home Minister, Tshiring, arrange direct flight connections from Thimphu to Gautam Buddha International Airport. During the discussion, the Bhutanese Home Minister stated that Bhutan intends to erect a stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha, and requested the required support.

Dr. Ami Upadhyay, Vice-Chancellor of Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, and Minister Pandey met on Saturday.

The gathering included a discussion of how Nepal and the university might work together to revive language and culture.

Vice-Chancellor Upadhyaya expressed an interest in Nepali language, Newa culture, and the Pali language of Nepal during the meeting.