Nepal Foreign Minister Arrives in Delhi Amid Bid to Reset Ties
Shisir Khanal's Visit Seen as Key Step to Revive India-Nepal Relations After Diplomatic Strains
- Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal begins three-day India visit
- Talks to focus on trade, connectivity, energy and investment
- Visit follows recent high-level political engagement between the two countries
- Agreements likely as both sides seek to strengthen bilateral ties
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th June: Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and reviving momentum in India-Nepal relations after a prolonged period of diplomatic strain.
Khanal is visiting India at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and is expected to hold extensive discussions on trade, investment, connectivity, energy cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The visit is being viewed as a significant diplomatic outreach by Kathmandu as both countries seek to deepen engagement and move beyond recent tensions that had affected bilateral relations.
Diplomatic sources said the two sides will review progress on key projects, including hydropower development, cross-border infrastructure and trade facilitation initiatives.
The visit follows recent political engagement between New Delhi and Kathmandu, including the high-profile India visit of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, whose party is a key constituent of Nepal’s ruling coalition.
During his visit, Lamichhane held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and presented him with a replica of the revered Pashupatinath Temple, one of Nepal’s most important religious and cultural landmarks.
After the meeting, Lamichhane described the discussions as productive and emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation through development, connectivity and shared civilizational ties.
Prime Minister Modi had also reiterated that Nepal remains a priority partner under India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and expressed India’s commitment to further strengthening the multifaceted relationship between the two countries.
Observers believe Khanal’s visit could help translate recent political goodwill into concrete policy outcomes and renewed cooperation across strategic sectors.
The discussions are also expected to focus on accelerating pending projects and improving economic linkages between the two neighbours.
For Nepal’s coalition government, stable and productive ties with India carry significant economic and strategic importance. For New Delhi, strengthening engagement with Kathmandu remains a key component of its regional diplomacy and neighbourhood outreach.
Sources in Kathmandu indicated that several agreements could be signed during the visit, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Khanal is scheduled to conclude his visit and return to Kathmandu on Saturday after completing his official engagements in the Indian capital.
