Bilateral Relations
Nepal and Russia established diplomatic relations on 20 July 1956.
Immediately after the Constitution of Nepal was promulgated on 20 September 2015, Russia welcomed the development by commenting on 21 September in Moscow that “the Constitution fully meets generally accepted standards, is the most important condition for stability and strengthening the unity of Nepal as a sovereign democratic state,” and expressed readiness for further cooperation with Nepal.
Nepal and Russia celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2016. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal Hon. Mr. Kamal Thapa and Russian Foreign Minister H.E. Sergey Lavrov exchanged messages on this occasion.
Exchanges of Visits
From Nepalese Side
- A delegation led by Rt. Hon. Mr. Gopal Parajuli, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court visited Russia from 23 to 26 September 2017.
- A Delegation headed by Rt. Hon. Speaker of Legislature-Parliament of Nepal Mrs. Onsari Gharti Magar paid an official visit to Russia, at the invitation of Mrs. Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament, in November 2016.
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Mr. Upendra Yadav visited Moscow in 2011 to take part in the Sixth Regional Conference of Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs). On the occasion, he met with the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Andrey Denisov.
- Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr Madhav Kumar Nepal paid an official visit to Russia to participate in the World Tiger Summit held on 24 October 2010 at Saint Petersburg.
- Late King Birendra paid a state visit to USSR in 1976. In 1958, late King Mahendra paid a state visit to the Soviet Union.
From Russian Side
- An official delegation led by the Director of the Third Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Gleb A. Ivashentsov visited Nepal in February 2003.
- Mr. Georgi F. Kunadze, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, paid an official visit to Nepal from December 24 to 26, 1992. The two sides also agreed on the idea of annual consultations at the Foreign Ministry Level.
- The Soviet Union sent its President Marshal Voroshilov on a state visit to Nepal in 1960.
Development Cooperation
The economic and technical cooperation between the two countries started since 1959. USSR provided assistance to Nepal for the setting-up of the following projects:
Kanti Hospital, Panauti Hydro-electric power station, Pathalaiya-Dhalkebar Highway, Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Arcicultural Tools Factory, Birgunj Sugar Mill, Rosin and Turpentine Plant in western Nepal.
Scholarship:
In the past the former USSR provided a large number of scholarships to Nepalese students many of whom are now assuming important positions in Nepal. Since 1992, Nepalese students have been going to Russia for higher studies on self-finance basis. Russian Federation has been providing a limited number of scholarships to Nepalese students in the fields of medicine and engineering.
Trade/Investment
The following is the status of the balance of trade of Nepal with Russia for the last five years:
in USD
| Year | Export | Import | Balance |
| 2012 | 780,274 | 24,754,594 | -23,974,320 |
| 2013 | 743,553 | 16,449,765 | -15,706,212 |
| 2014 | 958,495 | 9,887,878 | -8,929,383 |
| 2015 | 253,799 | 10,676,126 | -10,422,327 |
| 2016 | 422,608 | 7,306,245 | -6,883,637 |
Source: TEPC
Nepal’s major exports to the Russian Federation consist of hand knotted carpets. Nepal mainly imports electrical equipment, industrial raw material, parts of airplane and helicopter and newsprint from the Russian Federation.
As per the Department of Industry, there were 26 joint ventures registered until the Fiscal Year 2071/72, which brought in a Russian investment of Rs. 253.09 million creating 1,076 jobs.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs