India-Nepal Ties Under Spotlight as Khanal Begins Key Three-Day Visit

Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on Friday began a three-day visit to India , aimed at strengthening bilateral ties amid renewed tensions triggered by Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks on the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries.

The visit marks the first ministerial engagement from Shah’s government since it assumed office in March and comes at a sensitive time following his comments suggesting the involvement of China and the United Kingdom in resolving the border issue. India has firmly rejected any third-party mediation, reiterating that all boundary-related matters must be addressed through established bilateral mechanisms .

Khanal is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday. According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal , discussions will cover development cooperation, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges .

“With Nepal, we have an expansive agenda from development cooperation to people-to-people ties to trade and investment. All these issues will be discussed when the two foreign ministers meet,” Jaiswal said, adding that India remains keen to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership with Nepal.

The India-Nepal boundary dispute centres on Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani , which India maintains are part of Uttarakhand, while Nepal has also laid claim to the areas.

Despite periodic tensions, both sides continue to underline the depth of their historic ties, often described as a “Roti Beti” relationship , with Nepal heavily dependent on India for trade, transit, and access to sea routes.

Diplomatic observers note that the visit highlights the importance of continuous engagement between neighbouring countries , even amid disagreements, to ensure stability and manage sensitive issues through dialogue.