In a milestone move, Nepal and the Kingdom of Tonga officially established diplomatic relations, marking the 182nd country in Nepal’s diplomatic network. The Joint Communiqué was signed by the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, and the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Tonga to the United Nations, Viliami Va’inga Tōnē, during a ceremony at the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York.
The signing included a joint letter to inform UN Secretary-General António Guterres about the newly formed diplomatic ties. In addition to formalities, the ambassadors engaged in discussions to enhance bilateral cooperation in national and international forums, emphasizing mutual benefits.
Tonga, an archipelago with 176 islands in Polynesia, gained independence from Britain on June 4, 1970. Celebrating its National Day on November 4, Tonga commemorates the adoption of its constitution in 1875. Both nations, Nepal and Tonga, share membership in the Group of 77 and China and joined the United Nations in 1999 and 1971, respectively.
