New Delhi/Kathmandu

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal will undertake an official visit to India from June 5 to 7, marking one of the most significant high-level exchanges between the two neighbours since Nepal's recent political transition.

The visit follows an invitation from India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and was announced by Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Khanal is scheduled to hold discussions with Jaishankar in New Delhi, where the two sides are expected to review the full range of bilateral relations and explore ways to strengthen cooperation in key sectors.

According to Nepal's Foreign Ministry, the talks will focus on areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people exchanges. Both countries are expected to discuss issues of mutual interest aimed at further expanding their longstanding partnership.

The visit comes against the backdrop of major political developments in Nepal. Prime Minister Balendra "Balen" Shah assumed office on March 27 after his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), secured a decisive electoral victory. Following the election results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first world leaders to congratulate Shah.

Nepal's Foreign Ministry described the visit as part of the regular exchange of high-level engagements between the two countries and expressed confidence that it would contribute to strengthening the deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship between Nepal and India.

The announcement coincides with a separate visit to India by RSP President Rabi Lamichhane, who reportedly met Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday.

India remains one of Nepal's key development partners. Bilateral development cooperation dates back to the early 1950s, beginning with projects such as the construction of Kathmandu's Gauchar Airport and the establishment of the Indian Aid Mission. Over the decades, cooperation has expanded across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, power, agriculture, cultural heritage preservation, and capacity building.

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Officials on both sides view Khanal's upcoming visit as an opportunity to further deepen collaboration and reinforce the close ties shared by the two neighbouring countries.