Kathmandu: Prince Harry, who is on a five-day visit to Nepal, said that he hoped his visit would turn the world's attention on the resolve and resilience of the Nepalese people who are still recovering from the deadly April 2015 earthquake.
According to the Guardian, Harry said that he was delighted to be asked to visit a country which has fascinated him and captured the imagination of many other Britons. Speaking at a reception by the Nepal government in Kathmandu, he told the guests, "Like so many people back home, I have grown up seeing beautiful images of Nepal in books and on television. I am sure you hear this all the time, but your country holds a special place in the imagination for so many people around the world."
Harry, who had served with the Gurkha troops in Afghanistan, had always wanted to visit the country. He was also keen to see how the country's rebuilding effort is progressing after the earthquake and aftershocks that killed almost 9,000 people and damaged almost a million houses and buildings.
"I also know that I arrive here in Nepal as you approach the first anniversary of the earthquakes that took so many lives and that you are working to recover from. I pay my respects to those who perished and hope to do what I can to shine a spotlight on the resolve and resilience of the Nepalese people. I want to show all those people around the world who want to help that this is a country open for business, so please come and visit again," the Prince said.
Harry also met with Nepal's Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli to discuss cooperation between the two nations. Harry called on Oli at his residence in Baluwatar and discussed Nepal-Britain bilateral cooperation.
During his meeting with Oli, Harry praised the role played by Gorkha soldiers in the British Army and inquired about the conservation efforts made by Nepal in protecting endangered wild animals including tiger and one-horned rhino.
