Nepal, Aug. 4 -- The government has started preparations to appoint ambassadors to 21 countries and missions where the posts are currently vacant.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the appointment process for 21 missions, including 16 vacant diplomatic missions and five missions where ambassadors have been working on extended terms after completing their four-year tenure, will move forward within two weeks.

The five missions include Egypt, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal's permanent mission to the United Nations in Vienna.

Currently, Nepal has ambassadors in only 15 countries and missions, while ambassadorial posts remain vacant in 16. Nepal has embassies in 28 countries.

In addition, Nepal has three permane...