Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, head of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Foreign Affairs Department, embarked on a strategic three-day visit to Nepal this week, aiming to bolster political ties and rally support following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including that of a Nepali citizen.
Chauthaiwale’s visit, described as an “unofficial envoy” mission by Indian sources, comes amid heightened regional tensions between India and Pakistan after the June 9 terrorist strike. His agenda focused on securing Nepal’s political solidarity against cross-border terrorism while reinforcing India’s commitment to non-interference in Nepal’s domestic affairs.
After arriving in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Chauthaiwale engaged with Nepal’s top leadership, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. Meetings with second-generation leaders, such as Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa and Foreign Minister Arju Rana Deuba, underscored efforts to broaden dialogue across party lines.
A significant discussion with Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak addressed security concerns, particularly the risks of misuse along the open Nepal-India border and activities of foreign NGOs in Nepal.
Lekhak assured Chauthaiwale of Nepal’s vigilance against terrorism, stating, “Our friendship with India is rooted in shared values and history,” while condemning the Pahalgam attack and expressing condolences for the Nepali victim, Sudip Neupane.
Based on the talk details, we can argue that Chauthaiwale conveyed three critical points to Nepali leaders during his latest interactions:
- Unified Stand Against Terrorism: Urging Nepal’s political unity in backing India’s counter-terrorism stance, he emphasized that the Pahalgam attack “requires a collective regional response.”
- Non-Interference in Nepal’s Politics: Dismissing speculation of Indian meddling, Chauthaiwale clarified that India respects Nepal’s internal democratic processes, stating, “The BJP maintains relations with all parties under track-two diplomacy, regardless of their position in government.”
- No Support for Controversial Movements: India distanced itself from campaigns seeking the restoration of Nepal’s monarchy or Hindu statehood, labeling such efforts as “entirely internal matters.”
Nepali leaders, including PM Oli, unanimously condemned terrorism and expressed solidarity with India. Oli tweeted after their meeting, “We stand with India in this hour of grief.”
Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat noted Chauthaiwale’s appreciation for Nepal’s support, adding, “Rising India-Pakistan tensions risk regional destabilization—Nepal advocates peaceful resolution.”
Chauthaiwale reiterated India’s commitment to Nepal’s multi-party democracy, urging leaders to disregard sensationalist Indian media narratives. His meetings, coordinated by the Indian Embassy, also touched on enhancing cross-border security cooperation and economic collaboration.
