Political Relations
Nepal and Spain entered into diplomatic relations on May 13, 1968. The Government of Nepal decided to open a residential embassy in Madrid on 20 February 2017. H.E Mr. Bharat Bahadur Rayamajhi has been appointed as the first ambassador of Nepal to Spain. Residential Embassy of Spain in New Delhi is concurrently accredited to Nepal. Spain also has its Honorary Consulate in Kathmandu.
The relations between Nepal and Spain have always remained cordial and friendly. They have witnessed further consolidation in the years gone by especially due to the exchange of visits at various levels, appreciation of each other’s aspirations and sensitivities, cooperation in international forums, common position on global issues, and the commitment towards global peace and harmony
Exchange of Visits
Late King Birendra and late Queen Aishwarya paid a State Visit to Spain on 22-24, 1983. During their visit to Spain, an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation was signed between the two countries.
At the invitation of late Their Majesties King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia paid a State Visit to Nepal from November 22-25, 1987. During the visit Their Majesties were accompanied by Francisco Fernandez Ordonez, Minister for Foreign Affairs and other senior officials of Spain.
The then Spanish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Communications Mr. Enrique Baron Crespo visited Nepal in October, 1983 and discussed with Nepali side the possibilities of expanding the areas of cooperation. Some Spanish experts also visited Nepal in 1984.
In July 1984, a pair of Himalayan Red Pandas was presented by the late King Birendra to the King of Spain, the Spanish people and the Government of Spain.
Development Cooperation
The Spanish Government in the past had shown interest in saffron farming in Western Nepal and also in other areas of development. As a member of the European Union, Spain has significant influence within the Union. Effective persuasion of Spain could help Nepal securing the former’s assistance in receiving the EU’s aid.
Cultural Cooperation
Cultural Agreement was signed between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on 19 September 1983. The main objectives of this agreement were to encourage and promote cooperation between higher institutions of learning and education in the two countries; promote and encourage within their countries a better knowledge of history and culture, cooperate and support each other in international cultural and educational organizations especially as members of UNESCO, among others.
Nepalis in Spain
Over 15000 Nepalis are residing in Spain, and the number is ever on the increase. These people have been serving as vital links in Nepal-Spain relations.
Trade
The major exports from Nepal to Spain include goatskin, incense sticks, leather goods, woolen carpets, handicrafts, garments, Nepalese paper and paper products. Likewise, Nepal’s imports from Spain consist of chemicals, synthetic, woolen and polyster blanket, electrical goods, kitchen equipment.
The following figures reflect Nepal’s exports to and imports from Spain in the past four years.
Value in NRS
| Year | Export | Import | Balance |
| 2016 | 321,334,220 | 863,652,474 | -542318254 |
| 2015 | 360, 196, 036 | 782, 657, 706 | -422461670 |
| 2014 | 374, 459, 597 | 486, 647, 762 | -112188165 |
| 2013 | 289, 161, 049 | 663, 154, 480 | -37399431 |
Tourism
A significant number of tourists arrive in Nepal from Spain each year. The following figures show the tourist arrivals from Spain in the past few years.
| Year | Number |
| 2016 | 6,741 |
| 2015 | 13110 |
| 2014 | 10412 |
| 2013 | 16,037 |
Back in Spain, ‘FITUR Madrid’ is an important tourism fair where Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs under the NATA have been participating almost regularly.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs