While not a formal twinning arrangement, the move means that ties between the 2 cities will be strengthened to promote social, cultural, educational and tourism interests for the benefit of both parties and encourage technical cooperation.
The arrangement was formally agreed at a meeting of the Full Council last night and a memorandum of understanding was then signed by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Claire Darke and the Ambassador of Nepal to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Dr Durga Bahadur Subedi.
Wolverhampton has a small but active Nepalese community and is the home of the Hamro Nepali Samaj West Midlands charity which aims to educate people about Nepalese culture.
Arjundhara has a population of 60,000 and is named after the Arjundhara Temple.
Councillor Claire Darke, Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, said: “We are honoured to have been approached by the Nepalese Ambassador about forging closer links with Arjundhara Municipality.
“We are proud to have a small but active Nepalese community here in the City of Wolverhampton and this agreement will see ties between our cities strengthened for our mutual benefit.”
Dr Durga Bahadur Subedi, Ambassador of Nepal to the United Kingdom, said: “I sincerely hope and believe that the establishment of city friendship between the City of Wolverhampton and Arjundhara City in Nepal will contribute to the further enhancement of the bilateral relations between Nepal and the UK in general and particularly in promoting people to people ties between the 2 sisterly cities.
“The sister city relationship will be instrumental to further enhance the educational, cultural, commercial and tourism relations between the 2 friendly cities.”
