India, Nepal can decisively shift trajectory of bilateral ties to achieve full potential: Jaishankar

Published 6 June 2026 · politics

India and Nepal have an opportunity to “decisively shift” the track of their bilateral ties to achieve its full potential, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

India and Nepal have an opportunity to “decisively shift” the track of their bilateral ties to achieve its full potential, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday (June 6, 2026), after official talks with his visiting Nepali counterpart Shisir Khanal. Citing this week’s visit by Rabi Lamichhane, the chairperson of Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, Mr. Jaishankar said there are “strong complementarities” between the government of Prime Minister Balendra Shah in Kathmandu and the government of India. Saying that Mr. Shah wants to pursue “result-driven diplomacy”, Mr. Khanal described India as Nepal’s “most important partner”. Strong complementarities The conversation between the two Foreign Ministers came on the second day of Mr. Khanal’s visit, the first such visit by any member of the RSP government that came to power in March 2026.

“I want to take the opportunity to convey our best wishes for the success of your government,” Mr. Jaishankar said. “There are strong complementarities between the objectives outlined by your government and initiatives that India has taken in the neighbourhood.” “I want today to very clearly and strongly send a message of collaboration and cooperation. We believe that today we have an opportunity to decisively shift the trajectory of India-Nepal relations and to realise the full potential of our ties,” he added. ‘No old baggage’ Describing India and Nepal as “stakeholders of a proud ancient civilisation”, Mr. Khanal said, “We seek to translate this civilisational bond into modern development oriented partnership.

Nepal has placed the highest priority on its relationship with India. Under the new government, we are ready to engage substantively, purposefully and at the highest possible levels.” “Nepal’s new government carries a clear and decisive mandate for good governance, economic transformation and result-driven diplomacy. We carry no old baggage and only a firm resolve to build a genuinely transformative relationship with our close neighbour and most important partner,” said Mr. Khanal. Khanal arrived in Delhi on Friday and met Security Adviser Ajit Doval and was then hosted at a round table discussion organised by India Foundation with former diplomats and specialists on India-Nepal relations. Jaishankar later on shared on social media parts of the conversation with Mr. Khanal saying he reiterated “India’s commitment to work with Nepal for mutual progress, prosperity and well being of our peoples.” “A detailed discussion on our unique partnership, including on development cooperation, connectivity, energy, especially hydropwer development, education, health, capacity building, digital, culture and sports,” said Mr. Jaishankar.