India and Nepal Strengthen Strategic Partnership in Key Foreign Secretary Visit

Kathmandu, August 18, 2025 – Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, paid an official visit to Nepal from August 17–18, 2025, at the invitation of Nepal’s Foreign Secretary, Amrit Bahadur Rai. The visit reaffirmed the close, multifaceted ties between India and Nepal, anchored in history, culture, and shared aspirations for development.

Foreign Secretary Misri with Prime Minister of Nepal, K.P. Sharma Oli

High-Level Engagements

During his visit, Foreign Secretary Misri called on the President of Nepal, Ramchandra Paudel, the Prime Minister of Nepal, K.P. Sharma Oli, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba. He conveyed greetings from the leadership in India and briefed them on the steady progress being made across key areas of bilateral cooperation.

Foreign Secretary Misri with the President of Nepal, Ramchandra Paudel

On behalf of Prime Minister Modi, Foreign Secretary Misri extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Oli to visit India on mutually convenient dates. Both sides agreed to work towards concrete outcomes for the visit.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met his counterpart Mr. Amrit Bahadur

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

In wide-ranging talks with his counterpart, Amrit Bahadur Rai, Foreign Secretary Misri reviewed progress across diverse initiatives, including connectivity, energy, defence, digital partnerships, and people-to-people ties. The two sides also discussed new areas of collaboration to further advance the multidimensional partnership.

Highlighting India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Foreign Secretary underscored that Nepal remains a priority partner, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s development journey.

 Foreign Secretary Misri with Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, General Ashok Raj Sigdel

Defence Cooperation: Symbol of Trust

In a special ceremony at the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu, Foreign Secretary Misri handed over Light Strike Vehicles (LSVs), critical care medical equipment, and military animals to the Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, General Ashok Raj Sigdel. This gesture reflects the deep-rooted trust and robust defence cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.

A Tradition of Close Exchanges

Foreign Secretary Misri also met senior political leaders of Nepal and engaged with stakeholders across sectors. The discussions underlined satisfaction with the progress achieved in recent years in areas such as physical and digital connectivity, defence and security, trade, and energy cooperation.

The visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Nepal, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the two neighbours. As preparations advance for Prime Minister Oli’s visit to India, the outcomes of this engagement are expected to further strengthen the enduring and time-tested bonds between the two countries.