Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India is committed to supporting Nepal on its priorities. In a meeting with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) President Ravi Lamichhane, who is in Delhi during his visit to India, on Wednesday, Modi said that India is always with Nepal and is willing to be a partner in Nepal's development, economic progress and prosperity.

Modi and Lamichhane discussed mutual relations and bilateral interests in the meeting that lasted more than an hour. They agreed to give a new direction to Nepal-India relations in the changing political situation.

According to a Nepali representative who participated in the meeting, RSS President Lamichhane told Indian Prime Minister Modi that he wanted to develop relations with India in a new way as his party does not have any political burden. Modi praised the impressive victory achieved by the RSS in the 21 Falgun elections.

Lamichhane's wife Nikita Poudel, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders Bipin Acharya and Deepak Bohora, and diplomats from the Nepali Embassy in Delhi were present at the meeting with Modi. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were also present at the meeting. 

A Nepali official said that the border issue, which has been in the news recently, was not discussed during the meeting. He said that although there may have been personal interest in the border issue, there was no formal discussion. 

At the regular press conference organized by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday, Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had rejected third-party mediation in the Nepal-India border dispute. Prime Minister Balendra Shah had stated in the House of Representatives on Sunday that he had also discussed the border dispute with India with England. The Indian side's response to that was made public on Tuesday. Jaiswal had said that these issues should be resolved through bilateral mechanisms. 

During the meeting on Wednesday, Modi praised Lamichhane's article published in the Indian news agency 'Hindustan Times' on Tuesday. In the article, Lamichhane mentioned that he would develop a new path in bilateral relations between Nepal and India and take it forward. Similarly, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Home Minister Amit Shah also praised the article and Lamichhane's proposal to take bilateral relations to new heights through 'development diplomacy'.

According to an official who participated in the meeting, Indian Prime Minister Modi had expressed that India has always been with Nepal. 'You first decide your priorities,' Modi told Lamichhane, 'We will provide all possible support in that.' Modi had also suggested that Lamichhane invest in tourism and hydropower for Nepal's rapid economic development. According to officials, Lamichhane's visit and high-level meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday have sent a message that both the Indian government and the ruling BJP want to strengthen ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-led government and share Nepal's priorities.

Delhi’s strategic and diplomatic circles were closely monitoring Lamichhane’s visit, the ongoing border dispute and Prime Minister Shah’s statements on it, and bilateral relations under Nepal’s new government. Modi has also sent his best wishes to Prime Minister Shah. ‘I have already invited him to visit India and am ready to welcome him in Delhi,’ Modi told Lamichhane. 

RSP President Lamichhane expressed happiness over the fruitful talks with Indian Prime Minister Modi. ‘I also agree with your vision that Nepal and India should forget the past difficulties and embrace a new era of development diplomacy. By focusing on the relationship of common civilizations, digital corridors and barrier-free connectivity, we can truly build a partnership based on progress and mutual trust,’ Lamichhane wrote on social media, ‘The RSP is eager to transform these possibilities into a reality for the people of Nepal and India for our shared prosperity.’ 

Similarly, Modi has stated that Nepal is India's primary partner under the 'Neighborhood First' policy. He has also expressed his commitment to further strengthen the multidimensional partnership with Nepal. Informing about the meeting through social media, Modi said, 'Nepal is a priority partner under our Neighborhood First Policy and we look forward to working with the new government to take the special and multidimensional relations between the two countries to greater heights.' 

Modi expressed on social media that he welcomed President Lamichhane's desire to work together for a common and prosperous future. He said, 'I am very happy to meet Ravi Lamichhane, President of the National Independent Party of Nepal. I welcome and fully support his desire to work closely together for a common prosperity and a bright future.'

The strategic and diplomatic circles in Delhi were closely monitoring Lamichhane's visit, the ongoing border dispute and Prime Minister Shah's statements on it, and bilateral relations under Nepal's new government. Former Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Ray has called the meeting between Lamichhane and Indian leaders ‘very positive’. He analyzes that India is sending a clear message that the relationship between the two countries is of utmost importance and priority.