NEW DELHI: Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, who arrived in India on an official visit on June 5 at the invitation of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, held bilateral talks with the Indian minister in New Delhi on Saturday.
The two ministers 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.
During the discussions, the ministers expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors, the External Affairs Ministry said in a press release.
They welcomed recent initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation in innovation and startups, digital and financial technology, and training and capacity building.
Both sides agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen the multifaceted India-Nepal partnership further and take bilateral relations to new heights.
The ministers also welcomed the completion of internal processes for the entry into force of the India-Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters.
The agreement is expected to benefit the people of both countries by providing an institutional legal framework to enhance the effectiveness of investigation, prosecution, and judicial proceedings relating to cross-border crimes.
Following the bilateral talks, Jaishankar handed over to Foreign Minister Khanal 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage sector projects completed under India’s post-2015 Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance to Nepal.
The two ministers jointly launched the Peer-to-Peer linkage between India’s Unified Payments Interface and Nepal’s National Payments Interface to facilitate cross-border personal remittances between the two countries.
They also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Digital India Bhashini and Kathmandu University for co-creating a National Digital Infrastructure for a “Voice First” Language Translation platform.
The discussions were held in a warm, friendly, and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the unique and special ties between India and Nepal.
During the visit, Khanal also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The visit marked the first engagement at the level of foreign minister between the two countries since the new government assumed office in Nepal in March 2026.
