Kathmandu, March 1 -- The exact condition of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali youth held captive by Hamas militants since October 7, 2023, remains unknown, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said on Friday. His parents have been desperately waiting for his release for the last 17 months.

"Although his condition remains unclear, we will continue our efforts for his safe release," she told reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu upon her return from the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Nepal has been lobbying several Gulf nations and others for Joshi's safe release.

Minister Deuba has raised the issue at the United Nations, regional forums, and bilateral meetings, calling for interna...