Nepal and Germany Issue Clarifications on Passport Purchase Controversy on the Same Day: What Was Said
Image source, BBC/Kamal Pariyar
Nepal and Germany have issued clarifications on the recent controversy surrounding passport purchase on the same day.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal addressed the National Assembly meeting, while the German Embassy in Kathmandu shared its perspective via social media.
Both parties denied claims that the German government expressed dissatisfaction through the Nepali acting ambassador in Berlin.
What Did the Foreign Minister Say?
Image source, RSS
According to Minister Khanal, officials from the German Foreign Ministry met with the acting Nepali ambassador in Berlin. He emphasized that close and cooperative relations between Nepal and Germany make such meetings and dialogues natural.
“There is no truth to the claim that the German government reacted bitterly. The meeting was cordial, similar to other diplomatic engagements. It is only natural to show interest in the companies involved,” he said during the National Assembly meeting.
“During the meeting, the acting ambassador explained that the passport purchase matter is currently under judicial consideration and that this process complies with Nepalese law.”
What Did Germany Say?
Image source, Nepal Photo Library
The German Embassy reacted to several “false or misleading” reports regarding the passport purchase issue.
It released its perspective in three points, referring to “the real facts.”
“The Nepali acting ambassador in Berlin was called to a meeting at the German Federal Foreign Ministry, not for clarifications. A minor difference like this is interpreted differently in diplomatic practice,” the embassy stated.
“No protest or any documents were handed over during this meeting,” the second point noted.
“No warning was issued about possible outcomes from judicial processes,” the third point stated.
Germany reaffirmed its full respect for judicial independence, which is also enshrined in its constitution.
“In principle, the German Embassy does not comment on cases under court consideration and has never commented on this issue,” the embassy said.
‘We Will Not Let There Be a Shortage’
Concerns about a shortage of passports have increased after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority began probing the passport printing contract process.
Prior to the commencement of new passport distribution, reports surfaced of the Prime Minister’s Office intervening and pressuring the commission to advance the investigation process within the contract procedures.
The commission has filed cases in the Special Court against Passport Department Director General Teerth Raj Aryal, IT Director Sunil Kumar KC, and former Accounts Officer Tulsi Prasad Acharya on charges of irregularities.
Nonetheless, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that there will be no shortage of passports.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Passport Department are committed to providing regular, effective, reliable, and quality passport services to Nepali citizens. Preparations are being undertaken internally,” Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri stated on Wednesday.
“We urge everyone to remain assured that passport services will remain uninterrupted.”
Image source, Nepal Photo Library
Background
In June 2025, the Passport Department granted contracts to two German companies: Veridos for passport booklets and Mühlbauer ID Services for software and data management systems.
The two German companies were given responsibility for printing 6.4 million passports and managing data. However, the contract process was prolonged and contentious.
Prior to this, France’s Idemia, which had been printing passports in Nepal, approached the Supreme Court. After the court allowed a new contract process, Nepal’s existing passport stock was nearing depletion.
During the people’s movement last year in September, over 6,000 passports were destroyed by fire.
To avert a shortage, then Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki met with German Ambassador to Kathmandu, Udo Foltes, seeking assistance.
At that time, the government decided to purchase additional passports from the French company amid the shortfall.
After the German company informed it could not supply passports before the set deadline, the government procured 700,000 additional passports from Idemia.
Of those 700,000 passports obtained from the companies, only about 70,000 remain as of tomorrow.