NEW DELHI:-  Nepal’s Ruling party Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane and his delegation, who are visiting India, met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The talks focused on the India-Nepal development partnership and people-to-people relations, which Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has said are important for advancing development and prosperity in both countries.

“It was a pleasure to meet Nepal’s Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Rabi Lamichhane and his delegation in Delhi today. Our discussions focused on development partnerships and people-to-people relations. They have a vital role to play in promoting development and prosperity,” Jaishankar told X.

Lamichhane arrived in New Delhi on Monday on a five-day visit to hold discussions with senior BJP leaders.

Leading a three-member delegation, Lamichhane is visiting India at the invitation of the BJP for party-to-party talks at a crucial juncture in bilateral relations.

The visit has been seen as an important political dialogue between Nepal’s ruling party and New Delhi since Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah took office.

The visit comes at a time when opposition parties are disrupting parliamentary proceedings over Prime Minister Shah’s recent remark that “India’s territory has also been encroached upon”.

Protests are taking place near Parliament and at key locations across Kathmandu, demanding the Prime Minister withdraw the statement and issue an apology.

Opposition lawmakers are protesting the government, saying that Prime Minister Shah’s statement weakens Nepal’s claims to Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura.