Jagdishor Panday, Nepal
Bangkok, Thailand — After nearly a decade of frosty relations, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appear to have taken a step toward reconciliation. Their much-anticipated meeting on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok has sparked fresh hopes of a reset in bilateral ties.
The one-on-one meeting, which lasted over 30 minutes, comes after years of tension stemming from the promulgation of Nepal’s new constitution in 2015 and subsequent disputes over border maps. For years, Oli and Modi found themselves locked in a political tug-of-war, often marked by nationalistic rhetoric and strategic realignments.
But in Bangkok, the atmosphere seemed markedly different.
RELATED NEWS : India and New Zealand Forge Stronger Ties with Free Trade Revival and Defense Pact
Recent global and regional developments, including India’s increasingly complex neighborhood dynamics, appear to have nudged both leaders toward dialogue. In a gesture seen as both symbolic and strategic, Oli and Modi shared details of their meeting on social media — each posting in the other’s native language. Oli wrote in Hindi, while Modi posted in Nepali, signaling a softer tone and a willingness to build bridges.
“Had a warm and heartfelt meeting with my dear friend, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. Our discussions were highly meaningful and constructive. I express my appreciation over our cordial exchange,” Oli wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Modi echoed a similarly positive sentiment:
“Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Bangkok. India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal. We discussed different aspects of India-Nepal friendship, especially in sectors like energy, connectivity, culture and digital technology. We also talked about some of the key positive outcomes from this year’s BIMSTEC Summit, especially in areas of disaster management and maritime transport.”
This meeting marks the first substantial direct engagement between the two since Oli returned to power in July 2024 with the unexpected backing of the Nepali Congress. Notably, New Delhi has yet to officially invite Oli for a state visit — a break from tradition, as newly-appointed Nepali prime ministers typically make India their first bilateral destination.
Instead, Oli visited China first, where he received a warm welcome from President Xi Jinping. The two leaders signed a framework agreement under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), further cementing Nepal’s commitment to the Chinese-led infrastructure project — one that India has long viewed with skepticism.
Meanwhile, efforts to re-engage with India continued. Oli extended multiple invitations to Modi, including during their encounter at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York last September. However, that meeting failed to produce results. A proposed one-on-one session never materialized, and a larger group meeting soured after Oli raised concerns about SAARC and other contentious regional issues.
The Bangkok meeting, therefore, represents a significant pivot. For India, rebalancing ties with Nepal comes at a time of increasing friction with several neighboring countries. Relations with Bangladesh have cooled following a government change in Dhaka, and ties with the Maldives and Pakistan remain strained. In this context, Modi’s renewed outreach to Nepal, even if cautious, could be seen as part of a broader recalibration of India’s neighborhood-first policy.
Still, tensions linger. Beijing has capitalized on India’s hesitation, deepening its ties with Kathmandu, particularly in infrastructure and energy cooperation. The signing of the BRI framework puts Nepal squarely in China’s strategic orbit, even as Oli seeks to maintain a balancing act between the two Asian giants.
Domestically, the situation is equally complex. Rising royalist sentiments in Nepal have raised eyebrows, with some political figures alleging India’s tacit support — a claim New Delhi has firmly denied. Last month, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Nepali counterpart Arzu Rana Deuba that India had “nothing to do” with pro-monarchist movements.
While the exact content of the Bangkok discussions remains undisclosed, sources suggest the two leaders touched on recent internal developments in Nepal, including those monarchist movements. What is clear, however, is that the meeting broke the ice.
Whether this thaw leads to lasting warmth or proves to be a temporary diplomatic gesture remains to be seen. But for now, Bangkok offered a rare moment of harmony in a relationship often defined by mistrust and missed opportunities.
SOURCE : X | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |
