New Delhi, June 04 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday underscored the significance of Nepal in India’s regional outreach, describing the Himalayan nation as a key partner under New Delhi’s “Neighbourhood First” approach. His remarks came during a meeting with Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of Nepal’s governing Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who is currently on an official visit to India.
The interaction marked an important step in strengthening bilateral engagement following political developments in Nepal. The visit is being viewed as an opportunity to reinforce cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, connectivity, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Modi emphasized India’s commitment to expanding collaboration with Nepal and expressed confidence that the two countries would continue to build on their long-standing friendship. He highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and civilizational bonds that have connected the two neighbours for generations.
Lamichhane’s visit is notable as it represents the first major political outreach by the RSP leadership to India since the party assumed a leading role in Nepal’s government. Over the course of his visit, he has held separate meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party. These discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring new avenues for partnership.
Sources familiar with the engagements indicated that both sides reviewed ongoing projects and exchanged views on regional developments. Connectivity initiatives, economic cooperation, and cross-border infrastructure development were among the areas receiving attention during the meetings.
As part of his itinerary, Lamichhane is also expected to visit Ayodhya, a city that holds religious and cultural significance in the broader context of India-Nepal relations. Such visits are often seen as symbolic of the shared heritage that continues to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement is expected to continue at the ministerial level. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal is likely to travel to India on June 6 for talks with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. The proposed visit would be the first ministerial level exchange between the two governments since the formation of Nepal’s new administration led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
The upcoming discussions are expected to focus on bilateral cooperation, regional connectivity projects, economic partnerships, and issues of mutual interest. Analysts believe the series of high-level meetings reflects a shared desire to maintain strong communication channels and further deepen the relationship between the neighbouring nations.
India and Nepal enjoy a unique partnership rooted in open borders, close economic links, and strong cultural connections. Recent diplomatic engagements indicate that both countries are keen to build on this foundation and explore new opportunities for cooperation in the years ahead.