India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s scheduled visit to Kathmandu has been abruptly postponed, according to a senior Nepal government official. Misri was due to arrive in Nepal on May 11 for a two-day visit. Although both sides had made extensive diplomatic preparations, New Delhi informed Kathmandu at the last moment that the trip would not take place.
India has officially cited “other engagements” as the reason for the postponement. However, analysts believe the move reflects growing tensions between New Delhi and Nepal’s new government.
Senior officials at Nepal’s Foreign Ministry pointed to two main reasons behind the cancellation. First, Nepal’s newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah reportedly refused to meet India’s Foreign Secretary. Shah has adopted a policy of not meeting foreign officials below the rank of foreign minister. Earlier, he also declined meetings with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Sameer Paul Kapur and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gore.
The second issue concerns the disputed Lipulekh border area. Kathmandu has strongly objected to a recent understanding between India and China allowing the use of the Lipulekh Pass for pilgrimages to Mansarovar in Tibet. Nepal maintains that the area falls within its territory and has criticized both New Delhi and Beijing over the arrangement.
India had initially welcomed the formation of Nepal’s new government under Balendra Shah after the State Independent Party secured a sweeping victory in April. However, Nepal’s firm position on Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura has strained relations between the two neighbors.
Speaking at a press briefing last Thursday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India remains open to discussions with Nepal on all unresolved issues. However, he emphasized that New Delhi does not accept Nepal’s unilateral claims over Lipulekh.
Former Nepali Ambassador Vijay Kant Karn described the postponement as a “loss” for Nepal, though he does not believe it will immediately trigger a major diplomatic deadlock between the two countries. One of the key objectives of Misri’s visit was reportedly to formally invite Prime Minister Balendra Shah to visit India.
Despite the postponement of the Foreign Secretary’s trip, Nepali Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s scheduled visit to New Delhi on June 1 remains unchanged. He is expected to attend the International Big Cat Alliance conference. India has also assured Nepal that supplies of petroleum products and chemical fertilizers will continue uninterrupted despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
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