Jaishankar, Nepal Foreign Minister Khanal hold bilateral talks, review development cooperation and trade
New Delhi, June 7
Nepal Foreign Affairs Minister Shisir Khanal, who arrived in India on June 5 at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, held bilateral talks in New Delhi on Saturday.
They reviewed the full spectrum of India-Nepal bilateral relations covering development cooperation, connectivity, trade and transit, energy, and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, the release said.
The ministers expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors and welcomed the recent initiatives to enhance cooperation in areas of innovation and startups, digital and financial technology, and training and capacity building. They agreed to intensify efforts towards further enhancing the multifaceted India-Nepal partnership to take it to new heights.
Both ministers welcomed the completion of internal processes for entry into force of the India-Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters (MLAA). This agreement will benefit the people of India and Nepal by providing an institutional legal framework to enhance the effectiveness of investigation, prosecution and judicial proceedings relating to cross-border crimes.
Following the discussions, Jaishankar handed over 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage projects to Nepal, completed under India's post-2015 Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance.
The ministers jointly launched the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) linkage between Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and National Payments Interface (NPI) of Nepal for facilitating cross-border personal remittances between India and Nepal, the release further said.
The ministers witnessed the signing of the MoU between Digital India Bhashini and Kathmandu University for co-creating the National Digital Infrastructure for the "Voice First" Language Translation platform.
The discussions were held in a warm, friendly and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the unique and special ties between the two countries.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Khanal also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
This was the first visit at the level of Foreign Minister between the two countries since the new Government assumed office in Nepal in March 2026.
Nepal is a priority partner of India under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, and the visit reinforced the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two close and friendly neighbours. It provided an opportunity to exchange views on enhancing the bilateral partnership to fulfil the aspirations of people from both countries, and has imparted fresh vigour to our efforts towards this objective.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage projects post-earthquake are commendable. India has always been a reliable partner for Nepal in times of need. But let's not forget that such ties must be based on mutual respect and not any hidden agendas. Keep it transparent and beneficial for both sides.
First foreign minister visit since Nepal's new government - that's a strong signal. The MLAA for cross-border crimes is much needed given the porous border. But I hope India doesn't take Nepal for granted; small gestures matter a lot in such relationships. Overall, positive steps.
As someone who follows South Asian geopolitics, this is a classic example of India's soft power approach. The focus on startups, digital tech, and peer-to-peer remittances shows a modern partnership. But China's influence in Nepal remains a concern - India should maintain this momentum. Good diplomacy.
Very happy to see the Bhashini-MOU with Kathmandu University for voice translation! This can really help bridge language barriers between our people. Nepal is like a close cousin to India, and such tech collaborations will bring us closer. Hope they also focus on climate change and disaster management together.
Interesting to note the warm and constructive atmosphere. India-Nepal relations are unique indeed, but there's always the Kalapani issue lurking. While these talks cover many important areas, addressing boundary disputes would cement ties even further. Still, progress is progress.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.