New Chapter in Diplomacy: Nepal Inaugurates Embassy Chancery in Lisbon
Marking a “historic milestone” in bilateral relations, Nepal officially inaugurated its Embassy Chancery in Lisbon on Thursday. The ceremony, which coincides with Nepal’s 76th National Democracy Day, signals a significant expansion of Nepal’s diplomatic footprint in Europe and a commitment to serving its growing diaspora in the region.
The Chancery was jointly inaugurated by Nepal’s Foreign Secretary, Amrit Bahadur Rai, and Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Ana Isabel Xavier. While the mission had technically commenced operations on April 16, 2025, this formal ceremony institutionalizes the presence of the mission at its permanent address in Rua Pero de Alenquer.
Foreign Secretary Rai expressed deep gratitude to the Portuguese government for their facilitation. He noted that the mission would serve as a vital bridge to strengthen economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between the two nations. Dr. Xavier echoed these sentiments, welcoming Nepal to Lisbon’s diplomatic corps and pledging continued support for the mission’s operations.
Following the inauguration, the atmosphere shifted to celebration as the Embassy marked Nepal’s 76th Democracy Day. The event brought together representatives from various Nepali community organizations. A key highlight was an interaction session with the Nepali community, which is estimated to be over 40,000 strong in Portugal. During the dialogue, diaspora members raised critical issues, including.
Following the inauguration, the atmosphere shifted to celebration as the Embassy marked Nepal’s 76th Democracy Day. The event brought together representatives from various Nepali community organizations. Requests for streamlined passport and visa processing. Exploring ways to funnel diaspora capital into Nepal’s tourism and trade sectors. An essay competition prize ceremony was held on the theme of the diaspora’s role in Nepal’s economic development.
The inauguration serves as a precursor to the first meeting of the Nepal–Portugal Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, scheduled for Friday. Co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Rai, the meeting is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including.
