Nepal and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across trade, energy, infrastructure, technology and people-to-people cooperation following the two-day official visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri to Nepal on November 4–5, 2026. According to a joint press release issued in Kathmandu on November 5, Misri visited Nepal at the invitation of Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai. During his visit, Misri paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting reviewed progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation and discussed potential initiatives and outcomes in connection with Prime Minister Shah’s upcoming official visit to India. The discussions underscored both countries’ commitment to maintaining regular high-level diplomatic engagement and advancing their longstanding partnership.
During the visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held separate meetings with Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, and Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal. He also participated in delegation-level talks with Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai on November 4, during which both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and explored opportunities to expand their mutually beneficial partnership. The discussions covered established sectors of bilateral engagement, including trade and commerce, development cooperation, hydropower, physical connectivity, border management, energy cooperation and cross-border relations. Both countries expressed satisfaction with recent progress in these areas and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to support economic development, infrastructure connectivity and regional integration.
A major highlight of the discussions was the growing importance of emerging technologies and innovation in Nepal–India relations. Both sides identified startups, digital connectivity, artificial intelligence and sports as promising areas for future collaboration, alongside traditional economic and strategic partnerships. Nepali leaders also expressed appreciation for India’s swift humanitarian and technical assistance following the devastating Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi floods, acknowledging its contribution to Nepal’s emergency response and recovery efforts. In addition to his meetings with government officials, Misri interacted with Nepali parliamentarians, including representatives of the Nepal–India Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Tourism, further strengthening dialogue between the two countries’ legislative institutions.
The visit concluded on November 5, 2026, reinforcing the tradition of regular diplomatic exchanges between Nepal and India. Both sides reiterated their determination to deepen bilateral cooperation, strengthen economic and technological partnerships, and expand people-to-people ties. The discussions surrounding Prime Minister Shah’s forthcoming India visit highlighted opportunities to advance cooperation in infrastructure, energy development, digital innovation and regional connectivity. However, the joint statement did not announce newly signed agreements, specific financial commitments or a confirmed date for the Prime Minister’s India visit. Instead, the visit served as an important diplomatic engagement aimed at consolidating existing partnerships and identifying potential initiatives for future high-level discussions.
