EAM Jaishankar with Nepal FM Shisir Khanal Nepal’s foreign minister Shisir Khanal on Sunday emphasised on a stronger development-oriented partnership with India while also calling for the revival of dormant bilateral mechanisms and the resumption of high-level political exchanges between the two neighbours.Addressing a media briefing during his three-day visit to India, Khanal highlighted the deep historical and cultural links between the two countries, describing Nepal and India as more than just geographical neighbours. “We’re not merely neighbours on the map; we’re children of the same rivers,” Khanal said, adding that the media plays a key role in shaping public understanding of bilateral relations.”In vibrant, pluralistic democracies like ours, the media is the ultimate custodian of the narrative of our visits,” he added.The minister said Nepal’s current leadership wants to focus on development, connectivity and economic growth, saying, “When we look across the border, we see India as an economic powerhouse,” Khanal said. “We see a rising India that has redefined itself on the global stage as a dynamic, fast-growing technology and economic power. We want to engage with this India of aspiration, innovation, and execution.”During the visit, Khanal held talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security advisor Ajit Doval. He said discussions covered trade, connectivity, energy cooperation, water resources and people-to-people ties. “Our discussions covered the full spectrum of the Nepal-India relationship, including trade, cross-border connectivity, energy partnership, water resources management, and people-to-people ties,” he said.Later, speaking to ANI, Khanal said both sides should make greater use of existing institutional mechanisms to address pending bilateral issues, including boundary-related concerns. “The boundary issues, these are very long, outstanding issues. So what we proposed is that even on the boundary issues, there are mechanisms that existed between the two countries, but many of these mechanisms have remained dormant,” Khanal told ANI.”There is one mechanism actually which is active, and we acknowledge the active work that’s being done on the ground. So we wanted to look from a positive perspective… I think the spirit on both sides is that there’s no harm in sitting at the table and discussing it,” he added.Khanal said one of the primary objectives of his visit was to restart top-level political engagement between the two countries after a gap of nearly two years. “I came with two broad objectives. One is to start the highest-level political visits between the two countries. The last visit was almost two years back,” he said.Further detailings opinion on the talks, he added, “I found our engagement with the NSA, the external affairs minister and his team yesterday very productive and engaging. We’ve discussed a variety of issues from connectivity, bilateral relationship, to energy and multilateral engagements.”Then highlighting recent cooperation, Khanal also emphasised that Nepal and India have operationalised cross-border digital payment transactions through collaboration between Nepal’s National Clearing House Limited (NCHL) and India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), enabling UPI-style transactions across borders.He also pointed to India’s support for post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal, including health and cultural infrastructure projects, and said both countries were expanding collaboration in digital public infrastructure and emerging technologies.The minister also mentioned the cross-border connectivity projects, including the proposed Janakpur-Ayodhya railway link. “We hope to see Janakpur-Ayodhya rail connectivity very soon. That’s something we discussed. We are very eager to see that resume from Janakpur and through that to other areas as well,” he said.Expressing optimism about the future trajectory of ties, Khanal said he expects high-level visits and political exchanges between the two countries to become more regular in the coming months.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosStalin Claims TVK Government Survives On Former DMK Allies’ Support, Vows Political ComebackVijay Launches Sweeping TASMAC Crackdown, Targets Alleged ₹1,600 Crore Revenue Leakage NetworkAmerican Centre Attack 2002: Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, US Consul General Speak At Kolkata EventIndia, Nepal To Take Bilateral Ties To New Heights; Jaishankar Calls For Decisive Shift In Relations‘Electric Stove Exploded, Then…: What Chef Told Police In Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire‘Below Replacement Level’: Elon Musk Flags India’s Falling Fertility RateLPG Price Hike: Domestic Cooking Gas Rates Raised By Rs 29 In India, Second Hike In 3 MonthsAhead Of INDIA Bloc Meet, CPI(M) Asks Congress To Explain BJP ‘Deal’ Charge During Kerala Polls‘Untrue’: Sourav Ganguly Denies Asking Yusuf Pathan To Resign On Behalf Of Mamata Banerjee‘TMC Fooled Muslims, Suvendu Is Secular’: Ajmal Siddiqui Resigns From Post, Slams Abhishek Banerjee123Photostories10 ways to enjoy watermelon during summer season7 Fascinating facts about the honey badgerThis is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India; budget, how to reach, best time to travel and moreCan rainwater cause eye infections? 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Nepal’s foreign minister Shisir Khanal on Sunday emphasised on a stronger development-oriented partnership with India while also calling for the revival of dormant bilateral mechanisms and the resumption of high-level political exchanges between the two neighbours.Addressing a media briefing during his three-day visit to India, Khanal highlighted the deep historical and cultural links between the two countries, describing Nepal and India as more than just geographical neighbours. “We’re not merely neighbours on the map; we’re children of the same rivers,” Khanal said, adding that the media plays a key role in shaping public understanding of bilateral relations.“In vibrant, pluralistic democracies like ours, the media is the ultimate custodian of the narrative of our visits,” he added.The minister said Nepal’s current leadership wants to focus on development, connectivity and economic growth, saying, “When we look across the border, we see India as an economic powerhouse,” Khanal said. “We see a rising India that has redefined itself on the global stage as a dynamic, fast-growing technology and economic power. We want to engage with this India of aspiration, innovation, and execution.”During the visit, Khanal held talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security advisor Ajit Doval. He said discussions covered trade, connectivity, energy cooperation, water resources and people-to-people ties. “Our discussions covered the full spectrum of the Nepal-India relationship, including trade, cross-border connectivity, energy partnership, water resources management, and people-to-people ties,” he said.Later, speaking to ANI, Khanal said both sides should make greater use of existing institutional mechanisms to address pending bilateral issues, including boundary-related concerns. “The boundary issues, these are very long, outstanding issues. So what we proposed is that even on the boundary issues, there are mechanisms that existed between the two countries, but many of these mechanisms have remained dormant,” Khanal told ANI.“There is one mechanism actually which is active, and we acknowledge the active work that’s being done on the ground. So we wanted to look from a positive perspective… I think the spirit on both sides is that there’s no harm in sitting at the table and discussing it,” he added.Khanal said one of the primary objectives of his visit was to restart top-level political engagement between the two countries after a gap of nearly two years. “I came with two broad objectives. One is to start the highest-level political visits between the two countries. The last visit was almost two years back,” he said.Further detailings opinion on the talks, he added, “I found our engagement with the NSA, the external affairs minister and his team yesterday very productive and engaging. We’ve discussed a variety of issues from connectivity, bilateral relationship, to energy and multilateral engagements.”Then highlighting recent cooperation, Khanal also emphasised that Nepal and India have operationalised cross-border digital payment transactions through collaboration between Nepal’s National Clearing House Limited (NCHL) and India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), enabling UPI-style transactions across borders.He also pointed to India’s support for post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal, including health and cultural infrastructure projects, and said both countries were expanding collaboration in digital public infrastructure and emerging technologies.The minister also mentioned the cross-border connectivity projects, including the proposed Janakpur-Ayodhya railway link. “We hope to see Janakpur-Ayodhya rail connectivity very soon. That’s something we discussed. We are very eager to see that resume from Janakpur and through that to other areas as well,” he said.Expressing optimism about the future trajectory of ties, Khanal said he expects high-level visits and political exchanges between the two countries to become more regular in the coming months.
