KATHMANDU, Oct. 23: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has said Nepal and India share exceptionally close ties rooted in geography, culture and longstanding cooperation, adding that Nepal’s new political leadership wants to take bilateral relations to a new level.
Speaking at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi on Friday, Dr Wagle described the relationship as one marked by occasional difficulties but deep interdependence. “There may be occasional hiccups, but we are joined at the hip,” he said, stressing that the two neighbours share bonds that go beyond geographical proximity.
Dr Wagle highlighted India’s support for Nepal during major crises, including the 2015 earthquake and the devastating flash floods in August this year.
Mainstream Nationalism vs. Regional Nationalism
Recalling India’s response to the recent floods, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promptly called Nepal’s Prime Minister Balen Shah and pledged assistance.
“Whatever Nepal needs, we are there,” Dr Wagle said, referring to India’s message through official channels and bilateral exchanges. He added that such support had helped strengthen relations between the two countries.
Acknowledging past tensions, Dr Wagle said Nepal’s approach to its southern neighbour was changing under the new leadership. “There was a time when we equated Nepali nationalism with anti-India sentiment. That era is now over,” he said.
Dr Wagle also said Prime Minister Shah would visit India soon, expressing confidence that the visit would help elevate bilateral ties.
Speaking at the session entitled ‘Proximity to Prosperity: The India-Nepal Opportunity’, the finance minister called for greater regional integration, arguing that South Asian countries could benefit from arrangements similar to the European Union, where countries retain their sovereignty and national institutions while facilitating the movement of goods, people, ideas and capital. He said deeper regional cooperation could create shared opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.
Dr Wagle also linked Nepal’s economic prospects to India’s growth, saying a prosperous India could generate significant opportunities for its neighbours. He referred to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which aims to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047. “For us, it’s exceptionally important that India rises, India grows, and creates opportunities for all its neighbours,” he said.
However, Dr Wagle noted that the benefits of India’s economic expansion would not automatically reach Nepal and that both countries needed to strengthen their economic links. He pointed to the growing purchasing power of India’s middle class as an opportunity for Nepal’s tourism sector, saying the country hoped to attract more Indian visitors.
