A look at Nepal-India ties in a changing region
Summary
Nepal’s ties with India came under discussion at a Kathmandu summit that focused on diplomacy, youth migration, climate cooperation and cultural exchange. Speakers called for greater trust, more dialogue and stronger people-to-people ties as Nepal navigates a changing region.
Key Points
- Speakers at NDTV Anviksha in Kathmandu discussed how Nepal-India relations should adapt to a changing South Asia, with emphasis on trust, diplomacy and cooperation.
- Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal should not be forced to choose between India and China, and urged regional cooperation to protect the Himalayan ecosystem.
- Shashi Tharoor said India should “listen more” to Nepal, called the 2015 blockade a “Himalayan blunder,” and argued Nepal’s relationship with India must be respected as independent.
- Panels also covered youth migration, climate change, Nepali cinema and women’s sports, with calls to turn brain drain into brain gain.
