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Indian Ambassador Meets Nepal's New FM, Focus on Bilateral Ties

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava paid a courtesy call to newly appointed Nepali Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, marking the first high-level diplomatic engagement from India following Nepal's new government formation. The two sides held detailed discussions on mutual interests, focusing on strengthening the long-standing bilateral relationship. Key areas of discussion included connectivity, energy trade, and pending development projects, with India reiterating its commitment to supporting Nepal's development. The meeting underscores the continued importance of the development partnership, which began in the 1950s and now spans multiple sectors across Nepal.

Key Points: India-Nepal Diplomatic Meet: Ambassador Calls on New Foreign Minister

  • First foreign diplomat to call on new FM
  • Discussions on connectivity & energy trade
  • Review of pending development projects
  • Reiteration of India's development support
2 min read

Indian Ambassador to Nepal makes courtesy call on newly appointed Nepal Foreign Minister

Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava meets Nepal's new Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, discussing cooperation, connectivity, and development projects.

"Ambassador Srivastava conveyed the greetings of... S Jaishankar to Khanal on his appointment - Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs"

Kathmandu, April 6

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, on Monday made a courtesy call on newly elected Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

"Ambassador of India H. E. Mr Naveen Srivastava paid a courtesy call on Hon. Foreign Minister Mr Shisir Khanal at the Ministry today," the Ministry stated.

Indian Ambassador Srivastava is the first foreign diplomat to call on the newly appointed foreign minister after the successful completion and formation of the new government at the end of March. The meeting marks an important high-level engagement from the Indian side following the formation of Nepal's new government.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides held detailed discussions on issues of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen the long-standing Nepal-India relationship. "Ambassador Srivastava conveyed the greetings of the Minister of External Affairs of India H.E. S Jaishankar to Khanal on his appointment as the Foreign Minister of Nepal. Various matters relating to Nepal-India relations and cooperation were discussed on the occasion," the ministry added.

Discussions also focused on key areas such as connectivity, energy trade, and pending development projects. Ambassador Srivastava reiterated India's commitment to supporting Nepal's development efforts. Officials from both Nepal and India were present at the meeting. Following the talks, the Ministry stated on social media that the Ambassador congratulated Minister Khanal on assuming office and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation.

Nepal is one of India's largest and most prominent development partners. India-Nepal cooperation for developing modern infrastructure in Nepal began in 1951 with the construction of Gauchar Airport in Kathmandu, completed in 1954. The Indian Aid Mission in Nepal was also set up in 1954 for coordinating various developmental projects of the Government of India in areas of connectivity, health, education, power, and other sectors.

Over the past seven decades, the India-Nepal development cooperation has expanded and diversified. It now covers a wide range of sectors such as health, education, power, archives, archeology, connectivity, trade, agriculture, cultural heritage preservation, and capacity building. The projects implemented are based on the needs and priorities of Nepal and are spread across the length and breadth of the country.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is good diplomacy. The focus on connectivity and energy trade is crucial. Hope this leads to faster implementation of projects like the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, which has been pending for too long. Both countries will benefit.
R
Rohit P
Our relationship with Nepal is like that of family. We share so much culture, religion, and an open border. It's heartening to see our development partnership spanning over 70 years. May this 'Roti-Beti ka rishta' grow stronger. 🙏
P
Priyanka N
While the sentiment is good, I hope our engagement is always respectful of Nepal's sovereignty and their new government's priorities. Sometimes our projects face delays because we don't fully align with local needs. The partnership must be a two-way street.
M
Michael C
Solid strategic move. Nepal is incredibly important for regional stability and countering Chinese influence in the Himalayas. Early engagement with the new administration is key. Well done MEA.
K
Kavya N
The history of cooperation since 1951 is impressive! From building airports to preserving cultural heritage, it shows a deep, long-term commitment. As a student of International Relations, I find this a fascinating case study of neighborhood diplomacy.

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