New Delhi, June 5: Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a three-day official visit. This marks his first trip to India since taking office earlier this year.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that Khanal’s visit will play a crucial role in strengthening the ties between the two neighboring countries.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Ministry expressed, “We warmly welcome Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal on his first official visit to India. This trip will further empower the special partnership between India and Nepal, continuing the tradition of regular high-level exchanges.”
During his visit, Khanal will engage in bilateral talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned in a media briefing in New Delhi that there is a comprehensive agenda covering significant issues such as development cooperation, trade, investment, energy, connectivity projects, and people-to-people relations. All these topics will be discussed in the meeting between the two foreign ministers. He emphasized India’s commitment to strengthening its multifaceted partnership with Nepal.
According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both parties will consider measures to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and interpersonal relations.
The Nepalese government stated that this visit is part of regular high-level contacts between India and Nepal, expected to further solidify their long-standing multifaceted relations. Khanal will return to Kathmandu on June 7.
An official from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that there will be a special focus on improving railway, road, air connectivity, and the movement of people between the two countries. Expanding connectivity facilities will be a key agenda item in the bilateral talks.
Although Khanal met with S. Jaishankar and other regional leaders during the ninth Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius in April, this is his first official visit to India since assuming office.
This visit comes immediately after Rabi Lamichhane’s recent trip to India. Lamichhane stated after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday that India and Nepal could develop a new partnership based on shared civilizational heritage, digital corridors, and seamless connectivity.
He mentioned on X that his party, the National Independent Party, is eager to work towards turning these possibilities into reality for the shared prosperity of both nations.
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