India, Nepal hold dialogue on border security; Jaishankar, Shishir Khanal in major meet

New Delhi: A crucial meeting took place between the Foreign Ministers of India and Nepal. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India, while Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal represented Nepal. Several important issues were discussed, but the primary focus was on border security. We will elaborate on the discussions regarding this issue, but first, here are six facts about the India-Nepal border.

What are facts about the India-Nepal border?

- India and Nepal share a 1,751-kilometer-long open international border.
- India's border with Nepal touches five of our states.
- Citizens of Nepal and India can travel to each other's countries without a passport or visa.
- Nepal shares its longest border (729 km) with the state of Bihar, followed by Uttar Pradesh (560 km).
- People living along the India-Nepal border rely on each other for business and employment.
- The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is responsible for the security of the border shared with Nepal.
- Oil supplied to Nepal even amidst Middle East Conflict.

What happened during the meeting?

During the meeting with Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar stated that the two nations work together to maintain security along their long and unique open border. Both countries have always stood by each other in times of need. Despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia and the Middle East, India has ensured a continuous supply of fuel to Nepal.

S. Jaishankar also discussed the visit of Ravi Lamichhane, the chief of the Nepali party, with Nepal's Foreign Minister. Jaishankar remarked that Lamichhane's recent successful visit demonstrates the importance both sides attach to this relationship. He added, "I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for the success of your government." There is significant alignment and scope for complementarity between the goals set by your government and the initiatives undertaken by India for its neighboring countries.

The External Affairs Minister further stated that India and Nepal share a very special relationship. This relationship is built on a strong foundation of robust people-to-people ties, cross-border connectivity, and shared cultural and religious traditions. It is grounded in mutual trust, goodwill, and mutual benefit. He added that while our bilateral ties have steadily evolved in areas such as trade, commerce, investment, energy, development cooperation, education, disaster management, and culture, we now have the opportunity to take this partnership forward into new domains—such as startups, AI, information technology, renewable energy, and other emerging sectors.