President of Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, expressed the potential for Nepal and India to form a partnership based on shared cultural ties, digital connections, and enhanced connectivity. Following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Lamichhane conveyed the RSP’s commitment to transforming these prospects into tangible benefits for both nations. He echoed support for a future of collaborative development diplomacy between Nepal and India, transcending past limitations.
During his five-day visit to India, Lamichhane, who leads Nepal’s largest House of Representatives party, engaged with top Indian leaders, including PM Modi and BJP President Nitin Nabin. PM Modi emphasized Nepal’s significance as a key partner under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, aiming to strengthen the special bilateral relationship further. The visit comes amidst uncertainties surrounding the proposed trip of Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah to India, as the RSP president seeks to foster party-to-party ties with the BJP.
Lamichhane’s visit received a warm reception in India, underscoring the BJP’s interest in enhancing relations with Nepal’s prominent political party. Meetings with Indian officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, highlighted the enduring civilisational and cultural connections between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of development cooperation and people-to-people bonds. Analysts view Lamichhane’s visit as a crucial step in building personal relationships between leaders to address bilateral issues, including border disputes.
