Nepalese Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said Nepal seeks to resolve its border disputes with India through bilateral diplomatic talks.
The move signals a shift toward development diplomacy intended to stabilize the region and foster economic growth. By prioritizing a direct relationship with New Delhi, Kathmandu aims to remove long-standing territorial frictions that have historically complicated the partnership between the two neighbors.
Khanal said that no issue is insurmountable if both sides engage with an "open heart". He said that the current administration intends to move away from viewing India through a "geopolitical lens" in favor of a focused economic partnership.
According to Khanal, the primary goals of these diplomatic efforts are to create job opportunities and expand the Nepalese economy. He said that bilateral talks should remain private and independent, saying, "We have no third-party role in bilateral talks."
The relationship between the two nations has already seen significant infrastructure and social investment. India has handed over 72 health facilities [1] and 12 cultural heritage projects [2] to Nepal as part of ongoing cooperation.
Khanal said that maintaining a trusted partnership is essential for the stability of both countries. He said that the diplomatic path is the most viable way to address the border row while ensuring that development projects continue to progress without external interference.
“"No issue is insurmountable if both sides engage with an 'open heart'."”
Nepal's explicit rejection of third-party involvement suggests a desire to reduce the influence of other regional powers in its relationship with India. By framing the border dispute as a hurdle to economic development rather than a geopolitical conflict, Kathmandu is attempting to pivot the dialogue toward tangible financial and infrastructural gains.
