Nepal highly values relations with Russia and stands for expanding partnership, Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said in a congratulatory telegram on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. "Nepal attaches great significance to the long-standing warm relations with Russia. According to the top Nepalese diplomat, his country highly values cooperation with Russia "as a symbol of unbreakable friendship between the countries." Russia and the former Soviet Union established diplomatic relations on July 20, 1956. The Soviet mission was opened in Kathmandu in October 1959 while Nepal opened its embassy in Moscow in July 1961.