Shisir Khanal, Nepal's Foreign Minister, touched down in New Delhi Friday . First official visit by any minister from Prime Minister Balen Shah's government since March. Shows growing security dialogue between Nepal and India, with both countries eager to boost cooperation across many sectors.
From June 5 to 7,Khanal will dive into talks on development cooperation,trade,investment,and people-to-people ties. Indian Ministry of External Affairs highlighted importance of these discussions. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said,“We have an expansive agenda… we are keen to further strengthen this partnership.”
Before meeting National Security Adviser Ajit Doval,Khanal joined a roundtable by India Foundation. Aims to spark dialogue on various issues, like border disputes that have long strained ties.
Khanal met veteran diplomat Bhek Bahadur Thapa before the visit. Thapa handed over a report from Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG). Unsubmitted to both governments since it was prepared. EPG set up after 2015-2016 blockade to tackle issues like border disputes.
The border conflict over Kalapani, Lipulek, and Limpiyadhura territories has dominated recent talks. Last week,Prime Minister Shah raised it in Nepali parliament,suggesting mutual territorial occupation. This stirred controversy among Shah's critics,who questioned his stance on Nepal holding Indian territory. Indian Ministry of External Affairs hit back,dismissing Shah's claims that UK and China are involved .
Khanal's visit follows a long gap in top-level diplomacy after the fall of K.P. Sharma Oli's government. Last Nepali Foreign Minister to visit India was Arzu Rana Deuba,who attended events in August and December 2024. Interim government had scant diplomatic activity,only now starting to revive.
Earlier this week,Rabi Lamichhane, chair of Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, visited India too. He met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, showing renewed diplomatic interest.
As Khanal engages with Indian officials,agenda remains broad. Hopes of revitalizing ties tested in recent years. Development cooperation and trade are key focuses,but border issues...still unresolved .
