A Step Towards Stronger Ties

India and Nepal have always been more than just neighbors — they are like family. The open border, shared culture, and deep historical links have kept people of both countries closely connected. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sushila Karki, the new interim Prime Minister of Nepal.

On the surface, it might look like a routine diplomatic talk, but the timing and context make it important. Nepal is going through political changes, and India wants to ensure that their friendship continues strongly, no matter which government is in power.

Why This Call is Important

Nepal is landlocked and depends heavily on India for trade and transit. India is also Nepal’s biggest trading partner and a strong development ally. At the same time, Nepal’s politics often swing between favoring India and China. This makes every high-level conversation crucial.

By reaching out to Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Modi showed that India values Nepal’s leadership, even during a temporary government. It also sends a message that India wants stability and closer cooperation in the region.

Who is Sushila Karki?

Sushila Karki is not new to leadership. She is respected in Nepal for her honesty and administrative skills. As interim PM, her main job is to keep the government functioning until new elections take place.

For India, talking to Karki means ensuring that bilateral projects and relations don’t slow down during this transition period. It’s also a sign of respect to Nepal’s democratic process.

Main Points of Discussion

While the exact details of the call are not fully public, analysts and media reports suggest that the leaders spoke about several key areas:

1. Trade and Transit

Nepal imports most of its goods through India, including daily essentials and fuel. Modi reassured Karki that India will continue to provide smooth access to its ports and border facilities. Karki, in return, highlighted Nepal’s need for more efficient and fair trade routes.

2. Energy and Hydropower

Nepal is rich in rivers and has huge hydropower potential. India has invested in many joint projects and also buys electricity from Nepal. Both leaders agreed to push forward more such projects, which will help Nepal earn revenue and give India clean energy.

3. Border Management

The open border allows free movement of people, which is unique in today’s world. While it strengthens cultural ties, it also creates challenges like smuggling. Both leaders agreed to improve cooperation between border forces while keeping travel smooth for ordinary citizens.

4. Tourism and Culture

Tourism is a lifeline for Nepal’s economy. From the Himalayas to the spiritual centers like Lumbini and Pashupatinath, millions of Indians visit Nepal each year. Modi and Karki discussed ways to promote joint tourism campaigns, boost infrastructure, and make pilgrimages easier for both sides.

5. Strategic Balance

Nepal has been getting closer to China in recent years, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative. India is mindful of this and wants to ensure it stays Nepal’s closest partner. This call was also about reminding Nepal of India’s consistent support.

Nepal’s Political Situation

Nepal is currently run by an interim government led by Sushila Karki. Elections are expected soon, and until then, her role is to keep things stable.

India knows that Nepal’s politics can be unpredictable. By speaking with Karki now, Modi ensured that bilateral projects and commitments don’t lose momentum regardless of who wins the next elections.

A Long Relationship with Ups and Downs

India–Nepal ties go back decades, and they’ve seen both good and tough times:

• In 1950, the Peace and Friendship Treaty established close security and economic ties.
• In the 1990s, border disputes and blockades created tensions.
• In 2015, when Nepal faced a devastating earthquake, India was among the first to send aid.
• Later the same year, however, Nepal accused India of an “unofficial blockade” during constitutional disputes, which hurt public opinion.
• In recent years, new initiatives like cross-border pipelines, rail links, and electricity trade have helped rebuild trust.

This call between Modi and Karki is another effort to keep the relationship steady and future-focused.

What India Wants

For India, Nepal is more than just a neighbor. It’s a strategic buffer between India and China. Any instability in Nepal directly affects Indian states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

India’s goals include:

• Keeping Nepal free from anti-India activities.
• Strengthening trade and transport routes through Nepal.
• Ensuring cultural and religious ties remain strong.
• Countering China’s growing influence by staying Nepal’s first choice partner.

What Nepal Wants

Nepal, on the other hand, wants its sovereignty respected. It does not want to be seen as under India’s shadow. Its key expectations from India include:

• Equal partnership, not dominance.
• More investment in infrastructure, like highways, railways, and digital links.
• Fair energy agreements, where Nepal can export more electricity.
• Support in times of natural disasters.

Karki is expected to carry forward these demands in future talks.

Broader Regional Context

This conversation cannot be seen in isolation. South Asia is going through changes:

• China is expanding its projects in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
• Sri Lanka recently faced an economic crisis, showing how fragile regional economies are.
• India is stepping up its “Neighborhood First” policy to keep strong ties with its closest neighbors.

For India, maintaining a close bond with Nepal is critical in this shifting environment.

Public Reactions

The news of Modi’s call with Karki has been widely reported in both Indian and Nepali media. Analysts see it as a positive sign that India is engaging with Nepal even in an interim phase.

For many ordinary citizens, this is reassuring. It shows that India–Nepal friendship is not about political parties or temporary leaders, but about deep-rooted, long-term connections.

Challenges Ahead

Of course, not everything is smooth. There are still unresolved issues:

1. Border disputes like Kalapani and Lipulekh remain sensitive.
2. Perceptions of interference sometimes create mistrust in Nepal.
3. Delays in big projects frustrate people on both sides.
4. Geopolitical competition with China adds pressure.