Indian foreign secretary Vikram Mishri paid a courtesy call on Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle, on Wednesday.
During the meeting held at Finance Ministry today, various issues including economic cooperation between the two countries were discussed, according to Minister’s secretariat. The meeting was also attended by finance secretary Dr Ghanashyam Upadhyay and officials from Foreign Ministry.
Analysists say, Nepal and India have held extensive talks regarding the agenda for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s upcoming visit to New Delhi later this month. Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held detailed discussions with cabinet ministers and high-level government officials to shape the schedule for Shah’s trip.
Observers are keenly watching how the new Prime Minister will handle long-standing bilateral issues while steering foreign relations in a new direction. However, following Finance Minister Wagle’s statement two weeks ago that the era of “anti-Indian sentiment is over,” many remain skeptical about whether these persistent issues will receive proper priority during the visit. Nevertheless, the Indian Foreign Secretary has pledged support for Nepal’s reconstruction plan following the Bhotekoshi flood, with a concrete agreement expected to be signed during Shah’s stay in India.
On the domestic front, the Nepali government has dismissed Nepal Police Chief Dhan Bahadur Karki and appointed Manoj KC as his replacement. This marks the first time in a long while that a police chief has been removed from power before completing his full tenure.
To preempt a potential Supreme Court ruling that could overturn the decision, the government named Karki as Security Advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah. Karki has not yet stated whether he will accept this role or challenge the government’s decision in court. The politicization of the Nepal Police is hardly new; traditional political parties have heavily politicized the force over the past three decades.
The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party has not issued an official statement on the matter. However, party spokesperson Jagadish Kharel told local media that the party was not consulted about the decision. In contrast, government spokesperson Sasmit Pokhrel claimed the move followed direct instructions from the party, explaining that the police chief was replaced to expedite investigations into major crimes and high-profile corruption scandals.
The opposition has responded with strong criticism. The Nepali Congress objected to the move, while Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Rajendra Lingden also voiced opposition. CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli avoided taking a firm stance, remarking only that the government may have simply chosen a loyal chief.
The Nepali Congress held an emergency press conference to outline its position on recent political developments. Party Vice Chairman Bishwa Prakash Sharma spoke at length about the importance of press freedom and challenged journalists for failing to cover press freedom issues more prominently, asking them directly, “Are you safe?”
Addressing recent allegations that a faction led by Gagan Thapa bribed the judiciary to secure party legitimacy, the Nepali Congress stated that such claims undermine both NC cadres and the integrity of the Supreme Court. Sharma accused the government of deliberately spreading misinformation regarding the party’s legitimacy.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal, led by former rebel leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, accused the government of creating a state of terror and operating in a secretive, mysterious manner.
Finally, the first-ever meeting between Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has created ripples across the political landscape. Although Thapa was previously reluctant to meet with Oli, the growing rift between the government and Thapa may have prompted him to reach out. Neither leader has disclosed the contents of their discussion.
