Rabi Lamichhane Meets Indian PM Modi, Discusses Bilateral Relations

Kathmandu. National Independent Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, who is on a five-day official visit to India at the invitation of the Bharatiya Janata Party, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

Chairman Lamichhane's visit has been characterized by state-level protocol. Various events indicate that India has given him special importance.

After meeting with RSP Chairman Lamichhane, Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed his happiness through the social media platform 'X'. He stated that he was extremely happy to meet RSP Chairman Lamichhane.

Modi also clarified that he fully welcomed and supported Lamichhane's desire to work together for a shared and prosperous future, reaffirming the commitment to elevate the relationship between the two countries to greater heights.

Stating that Nepal is a priority partner country under the 'Neighborhood First' policy, Modi said, 'We are eager to take the special and multifaceted relationship between the two countries to an even higher level by working with the new government of Nepal.'

It is reported that during the meeting, both leaders had a positive discussion on moving forward together for mutual cooperation and shared prosperity. Modi clarified that India has always given high priority to Nepal in its foreign policy and also showed readiness to take the historic and multifaceted relationship with Nepal's new government to new heights.

Foreign policy expert Indra Adhikari stated that this meeting and Indian Prime Minister Modi's remarks are being seen as a significant development for the diplomatic relations between Nepal and India and for cooperation with new political parties. 'India already has a relationship with the old parties, and it appears that India is also focusing on building a relationship with the RSP, which has emerged as a new force. This should not be taken otherwise,' she said.

She further stated that foreign powers tend to build relationships with any new force, and India is doing the same.

Chairman Lamichhane, who arrived in India on Monday, began his political meetings on Tuesday. On Tuesday, he held meetings with BJP President Nitin Naveen, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.

In the past, leaders of various political parties in Nepal had visited India, but this time, India has given as much importance to RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane as it had not given to the leadership of other parties. Explaining the reason for this, former ambassador Dr. Lokraj Baral said, 'Everyone warms themselves by the fire that is burning. India has also done the same. It is natural to be devoted to whoever is in power. This should not be taken otherwise.'

Previously, India had maintained relations with the top leadership of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Maoist Center. Experts in diplomatic affairs say that as the RSP has established itself as a powerful party in Nepal's politics in a short time, India has started an effort to establish relations with Nepal's ruling party through its ruling party. Therefore, they argue that Rabi Lamichhane's visit to India is currently of great importance.

Dr. Mrigendra Karki, Executive Director of the Center for Nepal and Asian Studies under Tribhuvan University, said that India giving importance to RSP Chairman Lamichhane is like giving importance to Nepal itself. He said, 'The way India is giving importance to the RSP now shows that it wants to continue its relationship with Nepal.'

He added that Prime Minister Balen Shah's statement in parliament regarding the Nepal-India border was also in India's favor, making RSP Chairman Lamichhane's visit encouraging and significant.

He asserted that the RSP is the most powerful party in Nepal at present and that no one can do anything to it until the next election, and for that reason, India may have given importance to RSP Chairman Lamichhane.