Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, held a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Thursday afternoon, requesting diplomatic efforts for the safe release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who has been held hostage by Hamas since his abduction on October 7, 2023.
Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old agriculture student from Nepal, was taken captive during a large-scale Hamas attack on southern Israel. He had arrived in Israel on September 13, 2023, as part of the “Learn and Earn” program, alongside 48 other students from Sudurpaschim University, to gain practical experience in advanced farming techniques.
Stationed at Kibbutz Alumim near the Gaza Strip, Joshi was among 17 Nepali students caught in the assault. As Hamas militants breached their shelter, he heroically threw a grenade back at the attackers, saving many of his peers, though a second grenade exploded, injuring several inside.
Amid the chaos, militants killed 10 Nepali students and abducted Joshi, whose phone was later traced to Gaza. His courageous actions have since been widely praised, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
During the call, PM Oli urged President Erdogan to leverage Turkey’s diplomatic influence to secure Joshi’s freedom. In response, the Turkish President assured that he would take the matter seriously and work on it, while also requesting that Joshi’s family and the Nepali community be informed of the efforts, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
Earlier, on February 27, PM Oli had discussed Joshi’s release with the President of Egypt over a phone call, seeking support for the cause. The October 7 attack, which killed over 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, including 122 foreign nationals like Joshi, has prompted Nepal to pursue multiple diplomatic channels for his safe return.
In Thursday’s conversation, President Erdogan reminded PM Oli of an invitation to participate in a diplomacy-related conference scheduled to be held in Turkey in April. The two leaders also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the fields of economy, science, and technology, as well as expanding bilateral relations between Nepal and Turkey.
Suraj Ghimire
View More PostsSuraj Ghimire is a Nepali journalist based in Kathmandu. He focuses on political, social, migration, and international issues. He has also worked with various national television networks in Nepal.
