What Nepal Wants From India

According to media reports, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah. However, it is understood that Prime Minister Balendra Shah has made it clear that he does not wish to visit India merely as a formality. He wants his visit to be both meaningful and fruitful. Many political experts believe that PM Balendra Shah’s trip to India could prove crucial for both nations. Soon after taking oath as the 43rd Prime Minister of Nepal, he set out to transform the country. 

He has cracked down on corruption, jailed corrupt officials, and even put powerful leaders like KP Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak behind bars. The anti-corruption campaign continues, with many more dishonest leaders facing imprisonment. Balendra Shah’s firm stance against corruption has earned him admiration, even from former opponents. Since he became Prime Minister, Nepalis living abroad have begun to feel hopeful that things will finally improve. In this context, many people in both Nepal and India are optimistic that bilateral relations will reach new heights. 

Strategic opportunity 

Recently, PM Shah made a striking comment: “I will not come to India just to get my photo taken.” Political analysts are now busy interpreting the meaning behind this statement. 

So, what exactly does PM Shah want from India? And what is India prepared to offer?

Traditionally, every new Prime Minister of Nepal has visited India first. This is seen as a signal of a fresh start in bilateral ties. However, Balendra Shah wants to use this tradition not as a mere formality, but as a strategic opportunity for his country. He seeks tangible outcomes from the visit that directly benefit the Nepali people. And this is where the real story begins.

The biggest issue is aviation. Nepal has long been demanding a western air entry point from India. International airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara are ready, but without proper air routes, they remain underutilised. This time, PM Balendra Shah wants more than promises—he wants written assurances, visible progress, and ground-level implementation. He wants Nepal’s international connectivity to strengthen as part of its development. This demand could become the biggest test for India.

On the other hand, India is also stepping up. It has accelerated plans to strengthen its infrastructure up to the Nepal border. The upcoming four-lane highway from Bara Banki to Behrahi is not just a road—it is a project to accelerate India-Nepal relations and facilitate trade with Nepal. Most importantly, connectivity between the two countries will become far stronger than before. So, while PM Shah is setting his terms, India is also strengthening ties in its own way, and Nepal stands to benefit from these stronger relationships.

Until now, Nepali politics has followed a pattern—tilting sometimes toward India, sometimes balancing with China. But PM Shah appears to be rising above this old game. He has already met with ambassadors from 17 countries simultaneously, sending a clear signal that Nepal no longer wants to be boxed into a camp to its own detriment. He wants a balanced, neutral approach —improving relations with neighbours and friendly nations.  

PM Shah does not want to limit Nepal’s foreign policy to just India and China. He has already made plans to give equal importance to Gulf countries, Japan, and the United States. The reason is clear: a large population of Nepalis works in these nations, and their contributions to the economy help strengthen Nepal. Thus, Balendra’s focus is not just diplomacy but also economic growth and diaspora connections.

Foreign policy

The biggest question now is: will India be his first stop? Or will he turn to another country, making his priorities clear? This decision will not be just a visit—it will set the agenda for Balendra Shah’s new Nepal and define his foreign policy. India is watching closely. If PM Shah returns with meaningful bilateral agreements, it will not only strengthen ties between the two nations but also fill them with new energy. If talks do not go as hoped, countries like China will not hesitate to seize the opportunity. That is where the situation becomes even more complicated. Because this is not merely a trip — it is a strategic move on a global level, where every step must be carefully considered. Behind every statement is a larger message, and every decision will have an impact in the days to come.

Now, all eyes are on whether PM Shah, with his tough stance, will succeed in achieving what he wants from India, and what new message of diplomacy he will give to his new Nepal. For now, one thing is certain: a new chapter is about to be added to Nepal-India relations. And the one writing this chapter is Balendra Shah, whose every move is being watched carefully by the world. 

(Thapa is a Pokhara-based writer and a regular contributor to The Rising Nepal. writerlbthapa@gmail.com)