Kathmandu, June 3: India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relations with Nepal, expressing readiness to work closely with the country’s new leadership to advance shared prosperity and deepen bilateral cooperation.
In a X (formerly twitter) following a meeting with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane at Haidarabad House, New Delhi, Indian leadership welcomed the party’s vision for closer cooperation between the two neighbours.
“I am delighted to meet the Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party of Nepal, Mr. Rabi Lamichhane. I welcome and fully share his desire to work closely together for a shared and prosperous future,” Modi said in the Tweet.
India also described Nepal as a priority partner under its “Neighbourhood First” policy and expressed confidence in working with Nepal’s new government to elevate the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
“Nepal is a priority partner under our Neighbourhood First policy, and we look forward to collaborating with the new government to take the special and multifaceted relationship between our two countries to greater heights,” he said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were among those present in the meeting between PM Modi and Lamichhane.
The remarks come amid growing expectations of enhanced cooperation in areas such as trade, connectivity, energy, investment, tourism and people-to-people relations following the formation of Nepal’s new government under Balendra Shah.
Nepal and India share deep historical, cultural, economic and civilisational ties, as well as an open border and extensive cooperation across multiple sectors. The latest engagement signals a willingness from both sides to further strengthen bilateral relations through closer political and economic partnership.
RSP President Lamichhane was in New Delhi at the invitation of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During his visit, he held discussions with senior Indian leaders, including BJP President Nitin Nabin, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Home Minister Amit Shah, among others.
