Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts is arriving on a two-day Nepal visit on May 16.

In a statement, Watts said he will discuss opportunities to advance strong education and people-to-people ties with Nepal, during his stay in Kathmandu.

The Australian assistant minister will also be travelling to India, Bhutan and Bangladesh on the trip starting this week.

Watts said the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation, discussing shared strategic interests and furthering Australia’s trade and investment ties.

“It is also a key opportunity to build on our strong people-to-people links between each of our countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s Ambassador to Australia Kailash Raj Pokharel held a meeting with the assistant minister on Thursday and shared views on various matters of bilateral relations.

Nepal’s Embassy in Canberra said Ambassador Pokharel briefed Assistant Minister Watts on the current issues and concerns of Nepal-Australia relations in the context of his upcoming visit.