Pratik AgrawalPrime Minister Narendra Modi sat down with Rabi Lamichhane Chairman of Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party in New Delhi. Modi reaffirmed Nepal’s central role in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and expressed keenness to deepen the two nations’ multifaceted partnership.
Modi–Lamichhane Meeting Puts Spotlight on India–Nepal Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Rabi Lamichhane Chairman of Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in New Delhi on Wednesday. The high-profile meeting signals India’s intent to build strong, forward-looking ties with Nepal’s new government.
Modi Hails Nepal as a Priority Partner
Sharing his thoughts on social media after the meeting, PM Modi said “Delighted to meet the Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party of Nepal, Mr Rabi Lamichhane. I welcome and fully share his desire to work closely together for a shared and prosperous future.” He went on to note that Nepal holds firm priority status under India’s Neighbourhood First policy. Modi added that India eagerly looks forward to working with Nepal’s new government. He expressed hope of taking the special and multifaceted relationship between the two nations to greater heights.
India Welcomes Lamichhane’s Vision for Bilateral Growth
Modi warmly welcomed Lamichhane’s expressed desire to forge a closer, mutually beneficial future. The RSP chairman, who now leads Nepal’s largest political force, is on his maiden visit to India. His engagements in New Delhi have been wide-ranging covering diplomacy, security, and bilateral cooperation.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah received a Nepalese delegation led by Lamichhane. Shah congratulated him on the RSP’s sweeping electoral victory. He also conveyed India’s best wishes to the incoming government. Both sides shared a firm resolve to deepen the India–Nepal special relationship.
Lamichhane also sat down with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Describing the dialogue as constructive, Lamichhane said “It was wonderful to meet with India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, in New Delhi today. We held a constructive dialogue on strengthening Nepal-India relations, focusing on our development partnership, and multifaceted engagements.” Jaishankar echoed similar sentiments emphasising the development partnership and people-to-people bonds between both nations.
The RSP, founded in July 2022 by Lamichhane himself, emerged as Nepal’s strongest party in the March 2026 parliamentary elections. The Kathmandu visit reflects a new diplomatic chapter one where Nepal’s rising political force steps forward as a key partner for India’s neighbourhood engagement strategy.
Akshay Didwaniya
Aditya Didwaniya
Mayur Mohta