Image Source: Eurasia Review
In a significant diplomatic development, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Nepal on August 17 for a two-day trip aimed at laying the groundwork for Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India. The visit underscores the deepening ties between the two neighbors and signals a renewed push to strengthen bilateral cooperation across strategic sectors.
This will be Misri’s second visit to Nepal in a year, reflecting the importance New Delhi places on its Himalayan neighbor amid shifting regional dynamics. The visit comes at the invitation of Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai and is expected to finalize the agenda and logistics for PM Oli’s anticipated trip to India, tentatively scheduled for mid-September2.
What’s on the Table?
During his stay in Kathmandu, Misri will engage in high-level meetings with Prime Minister Oli, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and other senior officials. The discussions will focus on:
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Finalizing the formal invitation for PM Oli’s visit to India
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Reviewing progress on Indian-funded infrastructure and development projects
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Exploring new agreements and instruments to be signed during the visit
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Coordinating potential travel outside New Delhi for PM Oli, including cultural and industrial site visits
The visit is part of a broader diplomatic choreography aimed at reinforcing trust and cooperation between the two countries. PM Oli’s trip to India is expected to include delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, which coincides with Modi’s birthday—a symbolic gesture that could add warmth to the bilateral engagement.
Strategic Context
PM Oli assumed office for the fourth time in July 2024 and broke tradition by choosing China for his maiden foreign visit. His upcoming trip to India is seen as a course correction and an opportunity to reset ties with New Delhi. Experts believe the visit could be “instrumental” in fostering trust and resolving lingering issues through high-level political dialogue.
India and Nepal share a unique relationship rooted in history, culture, and geography. However, recent years have seen occasional strains over border disputes, trade issues, and geopolitical alignments. The upcoming diplomatic exchanges aim to smoothen these wrinkles and chart a forward-looking agenda.
Focus Areas: Connectivity, Energy, and People-to-People Ties
Both sides are expected to highlight progress in:
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Energy cooperation, especially hydropower exports from Nepal to India
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Physical and digital connectivity, including cross-border railways and integrated check posts
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Infrastructure development, such as roads, bridges, and petroleum pipelines
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Cultural and civilizational ties, with plans to jointly inaugurate heritage sites and promote tourism
India has played a key role in supporting Nepal’s development, and the partnership in the power sector is particularly noteworthy. Nepal’s hydropower exports to India have surged in recent years, providing clean energy to India and revenue to Nepal. This cooperation is expected to contribute to Nepal’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026.
Voices from the Region
Foreign policy experts in Nepal have welcomed the upcoming visits, urging leaders to use the opportunity for constructive dialogue. Dr. Shambhu Simkhada, a former diplomat, emphasized the need to resolve issues through high-level engagement. Others, like Nischal Nath Pandey, encouraged PM Oli to travel by land to witness India’s infrastructure progress firsthand.
The visit also comes amid India’s ongoing trade tensions with the US, adding a layer of strategic urgency to its regional diplomacy. Strengthening ties with Nepal could help India reinforce its influence in South Asia and counterbalance external pressures.
Sources: Kathmandu Post, MSN, MEA
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