Foreign Minister Khanal arrives in Delhi as Lamichhane concludes visit

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal arrived in New Delhi for high-level talks, continuing the ongoing engagement between Nepal and India. Khanal's visit, at the invitation of Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, follows a five-day trip to India by Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane.

Khanal is scheduled to meet with Jaishankar and other Indian officials on Saturday. He has already held discussions with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval regarding enhancing security cooperation between the two nations. Upon arrival, Khanal addressed a roundtable organized by the India Foundation, a think tank associated with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

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I cannot say anything specific right now. However, we will certainly discuss all issues that are priorities for us.

Before his departure from Kathmandu, Khanal stated that all aspects of bilateral relations would be discussed, including potential discussions on the ongoing boundary dispute with India. The Nepali foreign ministry announced that the two sides would focus on matters of mutual interest to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people ties.

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We have an extensive agenda with Nepal, ranging from development cooperation and people-to-people ties to trade and investment. We are keen to further strengthen this multifaceted partnership.

India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the visit continues a tradition of high-level exchanges and aims to strengthen the "special partnership" between the two countries. He noted an extensive agenda covering development cooperation, trade, and investment. Regarding the boundary dispute, Jaiswal reiterated that India has clarified its position and has a bilateral mechanism to address such issues.

This marks Khanal's first official visit to India as foreign minister. He previously met Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Ninth Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius. An earlier plan for Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit Kathmandu did not materialize after Prime Minister Balendra Shah cited protocol concerns for declining a meeting. The boundary dispute resurfaced following India and China's decision to resume the Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrimage via Lipulekh, an area traditionally considered Nepali territory.

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Regarding border matters, we have clarified our position and have a bilateral mechanism in place to discuss and resolve such issues.