Nepal-India Diplomatic Talks

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal began a three-day official visit to India to hold talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The discussions focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people relations.

Narendra Modi invited Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah to visit India during a meeting with Rabi Lamichhane. Both leaders discussed resetting Nepal-India relations with a focus on development diplomacy and bilateral cooperation, rejecting third-party mediation in border disputes.

Rabi Lamichhane, chair of Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss Nepal-India ties and cooperation, highlighting Nepal as a priority partner under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Modi expressed support for Nepal's new leadership and collaboration between RSP and BJP.

Rabi Lamichhane proposed advancing Nepal-India relations through 'development diplomacy' focusing on economic integration, infrastructure projects like a Raxaul-Kathmandu railway, and practical dialogue to resolve border disputes. He emphasized rejecting ultra-nationalist slogans in favor of historical fact-based discussions.

Rabi Lamichhane met Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, where both leaders expressed commitment to strengthening Nepal-India ties. Shah congratulated Lamichhane on electoral success and wished the new government well.

Nepal's Foreign Ministry clarified Prime Minister Shah's remarks, reaffirming Nepal's position to resolve boundary issues via diplomatic dialogue with India. Joint technical teams from both countries are actively addressing boundary demarcation and related issues.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated in Parliament that both Nepal and India have encroached on each other's territories. He noted an official diplomatic note was sent to India and that expert teams will be formed to resolve the disputes.