Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli on the sidelines of the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday. During the meeting, PM Modi stated that “India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal,” underlining the importance of the longstanding partnership between the two neighbours.
Taking to social media, Prime Minister Modi posted, “Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Bangkok. India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal. We discussed different aspects of India-Nepal friendship, especially in sectors like energy, connectivity, culture and digital technology. We also talked about some of the key positive outcomes from this year’s BIMSTEC Summit, especially in areas of disaster management and maritime transport.”
Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Bangkok. India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal. We discussed different aspects of India-Nepal friendship, especially in sectors like energy, connectivity, culture and digital technology. We also… pic.twitter.com/Ygrj30VyfH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the talks focused on enhancing mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of development partnership, energy collaboration, people-to-people ties, and connectivity.
“India looks forward to adding even greater momentum to its bilateral ties with Nepal,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on social media after the meeting.
🇮🇳-🇳🇵| A friendship based on a solid foundation of historical & civilizational ties.
PM @narendramodi met with PM @kpsharmaoli of Nepal in Bangkok today.
Discussions focused on enhancing the mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation especially in the areas of development… pic.twitter.com/ZMPVJgcVn7
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 4, 2025
Nepalese Prime Minister Oli described the discussion as meaningful and constructive, as reported by The Kathmandu Post.
The meeting was held during the Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a regional grouping that includes India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The summit served as a platform for bilateral and multilateral engagements aimed at boosting regional integration and connectivity.
Modi and Oil last met on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly session at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel last year.
PM Modi’s Meeting With Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus, Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing
PM Modi also met Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, marking their first engagement since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC leaders’ summit, was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Bangladesh is the incoming chair of the regional grouping.
Tensions have risen between India and Bangladesh in recent months over concerns related to communal violence targeting Hindus and the emergence of hardline Islamist groups. During a recent visit to China, Yunus sparked controversy by urging Beijing to expand its economic presence in Bangladesh. He noted that India’s seven northeastern states are landlocked and described Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean” in the region, calling it a significant opportunity for economic collaboration with China. These remarks drew criticism in India, prompting clarifications from Bangladeshi officials.
In another key meeting, PM Modi held discussions with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, as the country deals with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has claimed over 3,000 lives, left nearly 5,000 injured, and more than 370 missing nationwide. Modi reiterated India’s support and conveyed condolences, highlighting Operation Brahma — a relief effort launched by India to aid the quake-hit nation.
Senior General Min heads Myanmar’s military government following the February 2021 coup.
