Foreign Minister Khanal Holds Bilateral Talks with Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar in New Delhi

Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar held bilateral talks today in New Delhi during the former's visit to India.

This is the first formal and important political meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries after the formation of a new government in Nepal. The visit of Foreign Minister Khanal to India, immediately after the return of Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane from his India visit, is being closely watched in diplomatic circles.

Yesterday, after meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, he met with Foreign Minister Jaishankar today. This is the first formal meeting between these two leaders since their sideline meeting at the 9th Indian Ocean Conference held in Mauritius at the end of last Chaitra.

In the meeting, Foreign Minister Khanal conveyed good wishes from Prime Minister Balen Shah and the Nepali people to the Indian government, clarifying that Nepal's new government has come with a clear mandate for good governance, economic transformation, and results-oriented diplomacy. He said, 'We have no old baggage or disputes, only a strong resolve to build a truly transformative relationship with our closest neighbor and most important partner.'

Mentioning that Nepal and India are not just two countries but stakeholders of a glorious and ancient civilization, he emphasized the need to transform this historical bond into a modern development-oriented partnership. He also expressed the view that the Nepal government wishes to move forward based on the article written by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane in 'Hindustan Times' during his recent visit to India.

Expressing gratitude for the cooperation provided by India during times of disaster and the recent West Asia crisis, Minister Khanal thanked the Indian government for the continuous supply of fuel and fertilizer.

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated that the unique relationship between Nepal and India is based on mutual trust, mutual respect, and shared prosperity. He expressed India's commitment to further strengthening multifaceted partnerships such as connectivity, energy, trade, and economic transformation.

He said that this bilateral meeting has reviewed past cooperation and progress and has created an important basis for potential high-level visits between the two countries in the coming days. Ministers from both countries have pledged to work together meaningfully and purposefully at all levels to take mutual relations to new heights.