India Foreign Secretary Misri Holds Talks in Kathmandu

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026, for a two day official visit to Nepal. He was received at Tribhuvan International Airport by India's ambassador to Nepal, Sudhakar Dalela, and senior officials from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The visit runs November 4 and 5 and comes at the invitation of Nepal's Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai. The two countries announced the visit on Monday, November 2, 2026.

Talks cover trade, energy and connectivity

Misri held delegation level talks with Rai on Wednesday. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting covered preparations for upcoming high level visits, connectivity by air, rail, roads and bridges, and steps to promote and facilitate bilateral trade. Energy cooperation was also on the table.

He also met Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, and Minister for Infrastructure Sunil Lamsal.

Setting up a prime minister's trip

The visit is widely read as preparation for a proposed trip to India by Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah later this month. A senior Nepali foreign ministry official told ANI that Nepal's agenda includes Shah's visit and reconstruction aid from India after the Bhotekoshi floods. Misri is also expected to convey an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Shah to visit India, according to officials cited by IANS and the Kathmandu Post.

Misri is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Shah on Thursday, November 5, before returning to New Delhi. It is his second visit to Kathmandu since he became foreign secretary in July 2024. Dalela, the new ambassador, arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday, November 3, to take up his post.

What each side brings to the table

For Kathmandu, the practical files are money and movement. Nepal wants trade to move faster across the border, more electricity trade, and Indian help rebuilding after the Bhotekoshi floods, which damaged a key crossing area. For New Delhi, the visit keeps a steady channel open with a new government in Kathmandu and sets the agenda before Shah travels. The Indian Embassy in Nepal said the foreign secretary level talks discussed the full range of issues in preparation for the forthcoming visit of the Nepali prime minister to India. Misri's own tenure was extended in mid 2026 until July 2027, which makes him the official who will handle the follow through on both sides of Shah's trip.