Key Takeaways:

• Nepal and India held foreign secretary-level talks in Kathmandu
• Discussions focused on connectivity, trade, energy and development cooperation
• Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met senior Nepali ministers during the visit
• Preparations for future high-level bilateral engagements were also reviewed

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 4 Nepal and India have discussed expanding cross-border connectivity, facilitating bilateral trade and strengthening energy cooperation during foreign secretary-level talks in Kathmandu, as Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri began a two-day official visit on Wednesday. The delegation-level meeting between Nepal's Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and Misri covered preparations for upcoming high-level visits, infrastructure connectivity through air, rail, roads and bridges, and measures to promote and facilitate bilateral trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The two sides also discussed making development cooperation more effective, expanding existing cooperation in the energy sector and strengthening people-to-people relations and connectivity, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri. The meeting reviewed broader aspects of Nepal-India relations, with both sides discussing ways to deepen the longstanding and friendly ties between the two countries. Misri, who arrived in Kathmandu at Rai's invitation, also held separate courtesy meetings with Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, and Minister for Infrastructure Sunil Lamsal. During his meeting with Khanal, the two discussed strengthening the multidimensional partnership between Nepal and India, including cooperation in energy, aviation, trade, sports and education. Khanal expressed confidence that the close relations between the two countries would reach new heights, the Foreign Ministry said. In his meeting with Wagle, the discussions focused on economic cooperation between the two countries. Finance Secretary Dr Ghanashyam Upadhyay and Foreign Ministry officials also attended the meeting. Misri is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Thursday morning before returning to New Delhi the same day.