Nepal's Foreign Minister Advocates for Stronger Ties with India
'We Come Without Past Baggage': Nepal Foreign Minister To NDTV On Gen Z Support

Image: Ndtv
During his visit to New Delhi, Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal emphasized a new era of cooperation with India, focusing on energy, connectivity, and education. He acknowledged past failures in leveraging India's growth and outlined a vision for pragmatic relations, driven by the youth-led Rastriya Swatantra Party's electoral success.
- 01Shisir Khanal represents the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which gained power through youth-led protests demanding accountability and transparency.
- 02Khanal acknowledged Nepal's stagnation compared to India's economic growth, citing political instability as a key factor.
- 03The RSP aims to establish a relationship with India based on facts and evidence rather than emotions.
- 04Five priority areas for cooperation include energy, connectivity, digital transactions, education, and technology.
- 05Khanal proposed establishing an IIT or AIIMS campus in Nepal to enhance academic collaboration.
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Shisir Khanal, Nepal's newly appointed Foreign Minister, visited New Delhi to foster a pragmatic relationship with India, signaling a shift from past political tensions. In an interview with NDTV, Khanal, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), emphasized the need for measurable outcomes and mutual growth. The RSP's rise was fueled by youth protests demanding accountability and transparency in governance. Khanal candidly acknowledged Nepal's missed opportunities in capitalizing on India's economic growth, attributing stagnation to frequent changes in coalition governments. He outlined five key areas for collaboration: energy, connectivity, digital transactions, education, and technology. Notably, he proposed a tripartite energy agreement involving India and Bangladesh and expressed interest in establishing an IIT or AIIMS campus in Nepal. While Prime Minister Balen Shah has been invited to India, Khanal noted the focus remains on domestic priorities for now. His visit aims to lay the groundwork for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
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The proposed collaborations could enhance Nepal's economic growth and connectivity with India, benefiting both nations.
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