Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane, speaking on his just-concluded India visit and meetings with the top leadership, said Nepal-India relations should be shaped increasingly by economic cooperation, connectivity and shared prosperity, rather than remain bound by traditional diplomatic frameworks.
Lamichhane returned to Kathmandu on Friday after concluding a five-day visit to India, during which he held a series of high-level meetings with several senior Indian political leaders.
Speaking to reporters at Tribhuvan International Airport, Lamichhane said: “The future of Nepal-India relations must move towards development and mutual benefit.”
He stressed the need for a partnership based on equality, cooperation and common interests, Nepali media reported.
Advertisement
The India visit, which came just months after the RSP’s strong performance in the March parliamentary elections, was marked by rare, high-level engagements usually reserved for visiting heads of government.
During his stay in New Delhi, Lamichhane met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and BJP President Nitin Nabin.
According to Lamichhane, discussions between both sides focused on development diplomacy, cross-border connectivity, economic cooperation and bolster engagement.
Addressing his party’s domestic priorities following his return to Nepal, Lamichhane stated that the RSP remains unyielding in its commitment to the public mandate. “We are committed to our election manifesto in letter and spirit,” Lamichhane told reporters at the airport.
“We are committed to stability, transparency and good governance, and prosperity, as per the mandate given by the people during the March 5 elections.”
Beyond official meetings, the RSP delegation also met members of the Nepali diaspora living in India, and went to Ayodhya for a high-level cultural visit.
Lamichhane’s trip marked one of the first major international engagements by Nepal’s new political leadership since the formation of the government, and was followed by the visit of Nepali Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal to Indian national capital where he is to hold discussions with S Jaishankar for deepening bilateral engagement.
