Kathmandu, April 9: Indian Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, currently visiting Nepal for the BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, met with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at his residence in Baluwatar on Monday.

During the meeting, both leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening traditional Nepal-India relations, particularly in the fields of agricultural modernization, food security, and economic growth. Minister Chauhan stated that both countries must work collaboratively to address shared agricultural challenges and seize opportunities for mutual benefit. He urged that bilateral agreements and joint working groups be expedited and handled dynamically with equal seriousness.

Chauhan also noted that the recent meeting between Prime Minister Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangkok had laid a foundation of trust and cooperation for a brighter future between the two nations.

Echoing Chauhan’s sentiments, Prime Minister Oli stressed that Nepal and India, as close neighbors, should focus on forward-looking cooperation rather than being bound by history or emotions. He underscored agriculture as a vital sector for ensuring human survival and promoting entrepreneurship, and called for regional and international collaboration in the face of a changing global landscape.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Oli’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, and other officials.