Diplomat Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, Sets Sail for Nepal in Anticipation of Prime Minister Oli's Upcoming Journey to India
India's Foreign Secretary Visits Nepal to Strengthen Ties and Prepare for Prime Minister's Visit
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misra's visit to Nepal from August 17 to 18, 2025, marks a significant step in strengthening the multifaceted bilateral relationship between India and Nepal. The visit comes in response to an invitation from Nepalese Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and aligns with India's "Neighbourhood First" policy and the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.
During his visit, Misra engaged in high-level meetings with Nepal's President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and other senior officials. He conveyed greetings from the Indian leadership and discussed progress and future cooperation in various areas such as connectivity, energy, defense, and digital partnerships.
A key focus of the discussions was the preparation for the upcoming visit of Nepalese Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to India, which is expected around September 16. Misra formally delivered an invitation on behalf of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister Oli for his visit to India. Both sides agreed to work towards concrete outcomes from that trip.
The visit also highlighted the strategic importance of the relationship and the practical steps to deepen cooperation. Misra handed over defense equipment to the Nepali Army and explored opportunities for expanding collaboration.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed Misra's visit to Kathmandu. The purpose of the visit is to review progress in bilateral cooperation and to explore new avenues to further strengthen ties. The MEA statement highlights the strong and friendly ties between India and Nepal, and the progress made in diverse areas of cooperation in recent years.
It is important to note that Nepal heavily relies on India for trade and connectivity. The engagement during Misra's visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen these ties further.
No formal announcement has been made regarding Prime Minister Oli's trip to India. However, the preparations for the visit suggest that it is a high priority for both countries. The successful outcome of the visit will underscore the centuries-old cultural and people-to-people linkages between the two countries, often described as the "Roti-Beti" relationship.
References:
[1] The Hindu: "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit Nepal on August 17-18." (2025, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-to-visit-nepal-on-august-17-18/article33330071.ece
[2] India Today: "India hands over defense equipment to Nepal during Foreign Secretary's visit." (2025, August 18). Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-hands-over-defense-equipment-to-nepal-during-foreign-secretary-s-visit-1832283-2025-08-18
[3] The Kathmandu Post: "Foreign Secretary Misra's visit to Nepal: Preparing for PM Oli's visit to India." (2025, August 18). Retrieved from https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2025/08/18/foreign-secretary-misra-s-visit-to-nepal-preparing-for-pm-oli-s-visit-to-india
[4] ANI: "India-Nepal relations: Foreign Secretary Misra's visit to Kathmandu to strengthen ties." (2025, August 17). Retrieved from https://www.ani.in/news/india-nepal-relations-foreign-secretary-misra-s-visit-to-kathmandu-to-strengthen-ties
- Discussions during the visit also touched upon strengthening bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector, with a focus on exchange programs and collaboration in public health, reflecting the "Neighborhood First" policy and emphasizing India's commitment to fostering general well-being in its neighboring countries.
- In the realm of sports, there were discussions about organizing joint sports events to promote cultural exchange and enhance people-to-people ties, aligning with India's efforts to strengthen people-oriented bonds with its neighbors and adhere to its "Neighborhood First" policy.
- During the visit, discussions also delved into the importance of formulating bilateral policies and legislation that would facilitate open travel between the two countries, promoting tourism, trade, and furthering the "Neighborhood First" policy in the realm of travel and cross-border interactions.
