India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah in Kathmandu on Thursday, 5 November, at the end of a two-day official visit. The meeting, focused on bilateral issues and ways to deepen cooperation, was mainly about laying the groundwork for PM Shah's proposed first official visit to India.
The trip is being read in both capitals as a sign that ties are warming again, after a planned visit by Misri in May was called off and the two sides traded sharp words over the Lipulekh route.
Vikram Misri's Nepal visit: who he met
Misri arrived in Kathmandu on the morning of Wednesday, 4 November, on the invitation of Nepal's Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai. He was received at Tribhuvan International Airport by Nepali foreign ministry officials and India's newly appointed Ambassador to Nepal, Sudhakar Dalela.
Over two days, his schedule covered almost every ministry that matters to the India-Nepal relationship:
- Bilateral talks with Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai on the agenda for upcoming high-level engagements.
- Courtesy calls on Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle.
- Meetings with Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal on energy, infrastructure and connectivity.
- A call on Prime Minister Balendra Shah at his office in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Key facts at a glance
| Visit | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Kathmandu |
| Dates | 4-5 November 2026 |
| Main meeting | Call on Nepal PM Balendra Shah, 5 November |
| Purpose | Prepare for PM Shah's proposed India visit |
| Balendra Shah became PM | 27 March 2026 |
| India-Nepal trade (FY2025-26) | About $9.38 billion |
| India's share of Nepal's goods trade | More than 60% |
| Shah's India visit dates | Yet to be announced |
What was on the table
According to reports from Kathmandu, the talks covered the programme for Shah's India trip, trade, hydropower and energy cooperation including cross-border transmission lines, infrastructure and air connectivity. Indian support for rebuilding after the Bhote Koshi floods was also discussed. A Nepali official told news agencies that Kathmandu had prepared a long list of agenda items for the visit.
No agreements were announced during this trip, and neither side released detailed statements after the meeting with the Prime Minister. Ahead of the visit, India's Ministry of External Affairs said the two countries share strong and friendly ties and that the visit would further strengthen their comprehensive partnership.
Why this visit matters
A reset after a tense few months
Misri was originally due in Kathmandu on 11-12 May, but that visit was postponed, with India citing other commitments. Around the same time, Nepal objected to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra being routed through Lipulekh, an area Nepal claims along with Kalapani and Limpiyadhura. India's MEA said it was open to dialogue on boundary matters but rejected unilateral claims, noting that the pilgrimage via Lipulekh has been running since 1954.
Since then, Foreign Minister Khanal visited India in June and met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and India formally confirmed its invitation to PM Shah in late October. This week's talks in Kathmandu continue that thaw.
Shah's first bilateral trip abroad
Balendra Shah, the former Kathmandu mayor widely known as Balen, took office as Prime Minister on 27 March 2026. His visit to India would be his first official bilateral trip abroad. His first foreign trip as PM was to the UN General Assembly in September, where he proposed a Himalayan climate resilience mechanism with India and China for early warning of glacial lake floods.
What it means for India
Nepal is one of India's closest neighbours, with an open border, deep cultural links and more than 40 bilateral mechanisms. India is Nepal's largest trading partner, and Indian investment and power trade are central to Nepal's hydropower ambitions. A smooth, outcome-focused visit by Shah would help New Delhi secure energy and connectivity projects and keep the neighbourhood stable at a time when China is also courting Kathmandu.
What happens next
Dates for PM Shah's India visit are still awaited and are expected to be announced by Nepal's foreign ministry. Some reports suggest it could happen later this month, while others point to December. Both sides have said they want the visit to be productive and focused on concrete outcomes, so watch for announcements on power trade, transmission lines and connectivity.
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