It is all set, but both sides have yet to officially announce the upcoming visit of Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to India. Reports indicate that the visit is scheduled for 16–17 September 2025. In this connection, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is arriving in Kathmandu on Aug 17 for a two-day visit.
High-level diplomatic visits are held at mutually agreed times through diplomatic channels. When it is realized that high-level engagements are necessary, such sojourns are arranged in mutual consultation. It is worth noting that there are frequent high-level visits between the two countries. Since May 2014, there have been 17 exchanges at the level of Head of State or Head of Government. These visits occur as per requirements, and there has been no gap in the highest political communication between the two countries.
Political relations
Nepal-India relations are underpinned by shared cultural and societal cohesion. Looking back over the seven decades of friendship between the two countries, political relations have always been maintained, even though some hitches and glitches have appeared. Even in the hardest times, there has been no disruption of the highest level of communication, which stands as a symbol of deep relations.
High-level meetings between the heads of government also take place on the sidelines of different multilateral and regional forums. On April 4, Prime Minister Oli and Indian Prime Minister Modi met during the sixth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok. Prime Minister Oli described the discussions as meaningful and constructive.
PM Oli and PM Modi also met on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on 22 Sept 2024. The two leaders reviewed the bilateral relationship between India and Nepal and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in diverse sectors, including development partnership, hydropower cooperation, and people-to-people ties.
In Nepal, visits of the head of government to India have often been overstated, over-judged and over-concerned. This is unnecessary. Frequent communication at the highest level means that visits alone are not always the sole indicator of a smooth relationship.
Nepal requires India’s cooperation to realize the national aspiration of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali” set by Prime Minister Oli. Encouragingly, Prime Minister Modi has praised this aspiration and pledged India’s support to help make it a reality.
Pending issues
Pending issues between Nepal and India should be addressed amicably through diplomatic negotiations—a sentiment reiterated by both Prime Minister Oli and Prime Minister Modi.
The bilateral mechanisms have been consistently active in addressing these issues. Some matters, such as boundaries and water resources, require time to resolve. Certain issues have persisted for decades, inherited from history. Nonetheless, both leaderships should ensure that bilateral relations move forward progressively.
In the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) Report, the Indian side has maintained that it will be accepted at an appropriate time. If Nepal continues to receive this response, it should avoid raising the issue unilaterally too frequently. Established in January 2016 at the highest political level, the EPG was tasked with reviewing agreements and treaties, including the 1950 Nepal-India Friendship Treaty. It had finalized its report in 2018.
On issues like border management, both governments remain engaged and committed to resolution through diplomatic dialogue. Political leaders should provide strategic direction, but implementation should be carried out efficiently by technical and bureaucratic levels. Currently, India and Nepal operate more than 40 bilateral institutional mechanisms covering the full spectrum of relations, and these should meet regularly to resolve pending matters.
In recent years, India’s economic support to Nepal has increased. Physical and digital connectivity has expanded through the construction of border roads, integrated checkposts, transmission lines and petroleum pipelines. Major power sector milestones include the finalization of the Long-Term Power Trade Agreement, the trilateral power trade agreement between India, Nepal and Bangladesh, and agreements for the development of hydropower projects in Nepal by Indian developers, such as the 480 MW Phukot Karnali and the 669 MW Lower Arun. Key connectivity projects now facilitate Nepal’s access to sea lanes of transport and commerce.
Neighbors first
Nepal is a priority partner of India under its “Neighborhood First” Policy. In every form of support extended to Nepal and in every high-level meeting, the Indian side invokes Prime Minister Modi’s Neighborhood First policy, which also applies to India’s other neighboring states.
In this spirit, PM Modi visited the Maldives on 25–26 July 2025 as the Guest of Honour at the celebrations of the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day. During the visit, he reiterated that India has supported and will continue to support infrastructure development projects aligned with the priorities of the Maldivian people. Similarly, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka visited India on 15–17 Dec 2024. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a central place in the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighborhood First policy.
In Kathmandu, Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava and his team have maintained warm diplomatic relations with the Government of Nepal and all major political parties. Ambassador Srivastava’s tenure has been marked by constructive diplomacy and mutual respect, helping to address and set aside earlier perceptions regarding external involvement in Nepal’s internal matters.
It appears that India has, of late, renewed its understanding with the Oli-led government in Nepal, reflecting a recognition of its shared responsibility toward a close and valued neighbour. Consequently, Prime Minister Oli’s visit to India has been scheduled, with several important agreements expected to be signed during the visit.
Reportedly, Prime Minister Modi will visit Nepal thereafter. There is hope that this much-anticipated exchange of visits will mark a fresh chapter in bilateral relations, paving the way for a “new normal” of constructive engagement and mutual trust.
