Kathmandu, April 30, 2026 — A delegation from the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI), led by President Sunil K.C., held a courtesy call on Shisir Khanal, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Nepal, at his office in Singhadurbar. The meeting marked NICCI's first formal engagement with the newly appointed Minister and centered on advancing Nepal-India economic relations through concrete bilateral mechanisms.

The NICCI delegation was led by President Sunil K.C. and included Vice President Kunal Kayal, Secretary General Rajan Sharma, and Treasurer Kiran Malla.

Other members of the delegation were Abhiman Bararia, Country Director of Asian Paints; Ram Kumar Tiwari, Managing Director and CEO of Nepal SBI Bank Ltd.; Anand Prakash Jha, CEO of Care Ratings Nepal; Sumitra K.C. Khatri, representing Dabur Nepal; and Vidushi Rana, Executive Director of Goldstar Stride Ltd. The NICCI team also included Director Marshal Rathour and Executive Secretary Khushi Shrestha.

NICCI President Sunil K.C. opened the meeting by congratulating Minister Khanal on his appointment and expressing confidence in his stewardship of Nepal's foreign policy and economic diplomacy. He briefed the Minister on NICCI's role as a premier bilateral business chamber since 1993, citing its participation in shaping the Nepal-India Trade Treaty and Nepal-India Transit Treaty across multiple renewal cycles.

The delegation presented proposals for potential inclusion in the bilateral agenda of the Prime Minister's anticipated visit to India. Chief among them was the CEO's Round Table to be organized in New Delhi during the visit, aimed at connecting Nepali business leadership with leading Indian business executives and prospective investors where the discussion on the potential projects and investments could be discussed.

The delegation called for an expansion of Nepal's diplomatic footprint in India, proposing the establishment of Consulate General Offices or Trade Representative Offices in Mumbai and Bangalore. The recommendation drew on current trade figures — approximately 80% of Nepal's exports are directed to India, 60% of imports originate from India, and around 85% of third-country trade transits through Indian ports including Kolkata, Haldia, and Visakhapatnam. NICCI also aims to organize Nepal-India Partnership Summit in close coordination with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal, and other concerned line ministries and private sector industries from both countries.

The proposals extended to the operationalization of a dedicated Economic Diplomacy Mechanism with structured private sector participation, focused on export promotion, investment outreach, and tourism branding, and the formation of a Foreign Investors' Council under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with diplomatic missions and facilitate inbound investment.

NICCI informed the Minister of its plans to establish a Contact Office in New Delhi to support investment promotion, trade facilitation, and tourism outreach, and sought the backing of the Government of Nepal and the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi.

Minister Khanal received the proposals warmly and expressed appreciation for NICCI's sustained contributions to Nepal-India economic engagement. Minister Khanal appreciated the idea of Investor’s Council and Diplomatic footprint to expand in India. Both sides affirmed their commitment to closer coordination between the Ministry and the private sector ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.