India and Nepal can definitely shift the trajectory of bilateral relations to reach its full potential: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal during a meeting in New Delhi on June 6, 2026. Credit: X/@DrSJaishankar

India and Nepal have an opportunity to “decisively shift” the trajectory of their bilateral relationship to reach its full potential, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday (June 6, 2026) after official talks with his visiting Nepali counterpart Shisir Khanal.

Citing a visit this week by Rabi Lamichhan, chairman of Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra party, Mr Jaishankar said there was “strong complementarity” between Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government in Kathmandu and the government of India.

Saying that Mr Shah wanted to continue with “results-driven diplomacy”, Mr Khanal described India as “Nepal’s most important partner”.

Strong complementarities

The conversation between the two foreign ministers came on the second day of Mr Khanal’s visit, the first such visit by any member of the RSP government that came to power in March 2026.

“I want to take this opportunity to express our best wishes for the success of your government,” Mr Jaishankar said. “There are strong complementarities between the objectives outlined by your government and the initiatives taken by India in the neighbourhood.”

“I want to send a very clear and strong message of cooperation and collaboration today. We believe that today we have an opportunity to decisively shift the trajectory of India-Nepal relations and realize the full potential of our ties,” he added.

‘No Old Baggage’

Describing India and Nepal as “participants in a proud ancient civilization”, Mr Khanal said: “We are trying to translate this civilizational bond into a modern development-oriented partnership. Nepal places the highest priority on its relationship with India. Under the new government, we are ready to engage substantively, purposefully and at the highest possible level.”

“The new government of Nepal has a clear and decisive mandate for good governance, economic transformation and results-driven diplomacy. We carry no old baggage and only a firm determination to build a truly transformative relationship with our close neighbor and most important partner,” said Mr. Khanal.

Mr. Khanal arrived in Delhi on Friday and met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval before hosting a round-table discussion organized by the India Foundation with former diplomats and specialists on India-Nepal relations.

Mr Jaishankar later shared parts of the conversation with Mr Khanal on social media, saying he reiterated India’s “commitment to work with Nepal for mutual progress, prosperity and well-being of our peoples.” “Detailed discussion on our unique partnership, including development cooperation, connectivity, energy, especially hydropower development, education, health, capacity building, digital, culture and sports,” Mr Jaishankar said. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal informed that “water resources management” was also discussed between the two sides.

Published – June 6, 2026 10:54 PM IST