Muni Expo 2026: A Grassroots Blueprint for Nepal-Israel Tech Collaboration

Muni Expo 2026: A Grassroots Blueprint for Nepal-Israel Tech Collaboration

Nepal was one of the first South Asian nations to recognize Israel diplomatically, doing so in 1960. For decades, delegates from both nations have fondly described this relationship by noting that the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, and the highest, Mount Everest, belong to these two small, mismatched countries. The poetry of that comparison has historically carried the relationship further than its policy substance has.

Our ties have deepened in practical ways through the “Learn and Earn” program, which trained thousands of young Nepalis on Israeli farms. Tragically, this connection was cemented in shared grief on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists murdered ten Nepali students and abducted Bipin Joshi, whose body was returned to his family in October 2025. That history is part of why this relationship matters to me, and why the gap between Nepal’s affection for Israel and our institutional follow-through is deeply frustrating.

As MUNI EXPO 2026 approaches this June 23–24 at Expo Tel Aviv, the event is taking place against the backdrop of significant national and geopolitical shifts. The theme, “Winning Partnership,” focuses heavily on crisis recovery, technological resilience, and global collaboration. It is exactly the kind of environment where Nepal must transition from being a passive observer to an active, benefiting partner.

Nepal’s Tech Maturation: What We Have Learned

In recent years, Nepal’s IT and innovation sector has evolved into a key economic pillar, with software and IT service exports nearing the $1 billion mark. This rapid growth, driven by local fintech platforms and increased digital adoption, culminated in a significant milestone: the establishment of the dedicated Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. This........

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