India is Nepal's most important partner, new govt carries no 'old baggage': Foreign Minister Khanal

Business To Business, New Delhi, 6^th June, 2026:    S. Jaishankar on Saturday said that India and Nepal share a "special" relationship and that there is an opportunity to "decisively" advance bilateral engagement to realize its full potential.
Jaishankar made the remarks during a meeting in New Delhi with Nepal's Foreign Minister, Shishir Khanal, who began a three-day visit to India on Friday aimed at strengthening ties between the two neighboring countries.
The visit comes amid controversy sparked by recent comments from Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah regarding the longstanding India–Nepal boundary dispute.
During the meeting, Khanal emphasized that Nepal attaches the "highest priority" to its relationship with India. He also conveyed that the Shah-led government is prepared to engage with New Delhi in a "substantive and purposeful" manner to further deepen bilateral cooperation.
India and Nepal maintain close historical, cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties, though relations have periodically been affected by differences over border issues and other bilateral concerns. The discussions between the two foreign ministers are being viewed as an effort to reinforce cooperation and address outstanding matters through dialogue.