Kathmandu, Nov 6: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri returned home on Thursday after a two-day visit to Nepal, during which he met government officials and leaders of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) but held no separate meetings with opposition leaders or the president.
Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai. It was his third visit to Nepal in about 27 months since assuming office.
His previous two visits had followed a different diplomatic pattern. Indian foreign secretaries traditionally meet the president, prime minister, relevant ministers and senior leaders of major political parties, including those in the opposition.
During this visit, Misri held delegation-level talks with Rai and courtesy meetings with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal and Prime Minister Balendra Shah. Before leaving Nepal, he also met RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane.
During his previous visit in September 2025, Misri met then-President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba. He also held separate meetings with Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, RSP leaders and representatives of Madhes-based parties.
A senior Foreign Ministry official said India’s decision reflected respect for the Nepalese people’s electoral mandate.
“India has sent a clear message that it takes the party seriously that the people have given a strong mandate to govern. It respects the people’s verdict,” the official said.
Misri’s latest visit was primarily aimed at preparing for Prime Minister Shah’s upcoming visit to India. He made this clear during Wednesday’s foreign secretary-level talks, saying discussions would focus on key initiatives related to the prime minister’s visit.
According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri, the two sides discussed six major areas: high-level visits, connectivity, trade, development cooperation, energy cooperation and people-to-people relations.
Discussions on connectivity covered air, rail, road and bridge infrastructure. Both sides also agreed to strengthen energy cooperation and promote bilateral trade and development partnerships.
India has also expressed its readiness to support Nepal’s reconstruction and rehabilitation following the Bhotekoshi floods.
During the bilateral meeting, Misri recalled India’s assistance immediately after the disaster and acknowledged the extensive damage to Nepal’s infrastructure.
“India remains ready to consider necessary assistance and project proposals for reconstruction and rehabilitation,” he said.
Misri added that preliminary discussions had already taken place and that India was interested in discussing the matter further with Nepal’s leadership.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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