Nepal Urged to Seek 'Bigger Role' in Strengthening Ties with India

Kathmandu – Nepal’s political leaders, lawmakers, and foreign policy experts have called for the country to assert a larger role in its relationship with India, especially in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

Speaking at a forum in Kathmandu hosted by the Institute for Public Policy and Partnership, former minister and senior Nepali Congress leader Minendra Rijal said Nepal must use the current geopolitical context to expand its space within its partnership with India.

“We are in a position where we must carve out a greater space in New Delhi, especially following the Pahalgam incident,” Rijal said. He noted that while India faces diplomatic challenges with some of its neighbours, Nepal should seize the moment to deepen engagement.

He stressed the need for “sincere and open dialogue” on sensitive bilateral issues, adding, “No one can replace Nepal-India ties. Yes, as a smaller nation, we have our grievances, but our relationship with India goes beyond clichés like 'Roti-Beti'. Unfortunately, many of our leaders have prioritized their political gains over national interest when dealing with India.”

Former Foreign Minister NP Saud echoed these views, stating that while perfectly balanced foreign relations are unrealistic, Nepal must prioritize its national interest and adapt to changing global dynamics.

“Our approach with India should be transparent and interest-driven. The principle of non-alignment is becoming outdated, and multilateralism is increasingly relevant. In this evolving global and regional context, we need to recalibrate our ties with India,” Saud said.

Vijaya Jolly, former head of the BJP’s foreign affairs cell, also spoke at the event, urging stronger cooperation from Nepal in counter-terrorism efforts. He affirmed India’s respect for Nepal’s independent foreign policy, while underscoring the importance of joint efforts in tackling terrorism.

“There is no space for terrorism in South Asia. SAARC has become irrelevant, and terror cannot coexist with trade. We must redefine our bilateral relationship after 2025,” Jolly stated, condemning the recent terror attack.

Highlighting India’s prompt response during Nepal’s 2015 earthquake and the continued people-to-people ties, Jolly noted, “Prime Minister Modi has visited Nepal five times since 2014, while nine Nepali prime ministers have made official trips to India. Over 7.5 million Nepalis live and work in India, making our bond unique. Both countries’ security forces are actively cooperating at the borders.”

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, India and Nepal share a long-standing and close relationship based on defence, trade, development cooperation, and cultural exchange. Nepal remains a key partner in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, with regular high-level visits and dialogue reinforcing bilateral ties and providing opportunities to review and strengthen the relationship.

With inputs from IANS