KATHMANDU, March 2: Nepal has established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Tonga. With this, Nepal's diplomatic relations have expanded to 182 countries.

The official document formalizing diplomatic relations was signed by Lok Bahadur Thapa, Nepal's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Viliami Vainga Tone, Tonga's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Additionally, both representatives signed a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, informing him of the newly established diplomatic relations between Nepal and Tonga.

The signing ceremony took place this morning at the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, according to the mission's announcement.

On that occasion, the ambassadors of both the countries expressed their commitment to mutual cooperation, expansion of bilateral relations and promotion of cooperation and partnership in regional and international forums.

Tonga became a member of the United Nations on September 14, 1999. Nepal and Tonga are members of the Group of 77 and China.