As India and Nepal seek to move beyond recent friction over border-related disputes, Kathmandu’s new government has signalled a strong push to reinvigorate ties with New Delhi, with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal describing India as Nepal’s “most important partner” and expressing hope that an upcoming high-level visit by Prime Minister Balendra Shah will mark the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations. In his opening remarks during the meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, Khanal said the new government in Kathmandu was entering office with a fresh mandate and a determination to build a more ambitious partnership with New Delhi. “Nepal’s new government carries a clear and decisive mandate for good governance, economic transformation and result-driven diplomacy. There is no old baggage, only a resolve to build a genuinely transformative relationship with our closest and most important partner, India,” Khanal said. Show more Show less
'No old baggage': Nepal Foreign Minister Khanal says India most important partner
As India and Nepal seek to move beyond recent friction over border-related disputes, Kathmandu’s new government has signalled a strong push to reinvigorate ties with New Delhi, with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal describing India as Nepal’s “most important partner” and expressing hope that an upcoming high-level visit by Prime Minister Balendra Shah will mark the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations. In his opening remarks during the meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, Khanal said the new government in Kathmandu was entering office with a fresh mandate and a determination to build a more ambitious partnership with New Delhi. “Nepal’s new government carries a clear and decisive mandate for good governance, economic transformation and result-driven diplomacy. There is no old baggage, only a resolve to build a genuinely transformative relationship with our closest and most important partner, India,” Khanal said.
