The Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) organized an interactive session on “India-Nepal Relations: Cooperation in Conventional and Non-Conventional Security Domains” in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
The event featured Dr. Nihar R Nayak, Research Fellow at New Delhi’s Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), as the keynote speaker.
Dr. Nayak highlighted the unique nature of Nepal-India relations, stating, "Nepal and India share an exceptional bond that began with security cooperation even before formal diplomatic ties were established in 1950. Our militaries have played a crucial role in resolving misunderstandings, including during the ‘unofficial blockade’ period."
He emphasized India’s historical support for Nepal’s sovereignty, recalling, "When the Soviet Union opposed Nepal’s UN membership, India stood firmly in Nepal’s favor, reinforcing its status as a sovereign nation." However, he acknowledged existing challenges, including trust deficits over issues like the EPG report and border disputes, and noted that political instability in Nepal has occasionally strained bilateral ties.
Dr. Nayak expressed optimism, suggesting that high-level political dialogue—a practice strengthened since Prime Minister Modi’s tenure—could resolve pending issues. The session was chaired by Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatt, a security expert and former Nepali MP.
Dr. Nayak is also set to discuss his recent book, “Nepal: The Making of an Inclusive Constitution: Demands, Debates, Dissents”, on April 10 in Kathmandu.
MP-IDSA is India’s premier defense and security think-tank, while NIICE is a leading Nepali institute specializing in foreign policies and strategic studies.
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