Nepal, June 13 -- In politics, diplomatic activity is often mistaken for actual change. When it comes to Nepal, this is a scepticism that must be carefully guarded. We have recently witnessed a flurry of high-level visits, warm words from New Delhi, and ambitious statements from Kathmandu. Yet, recent developments have indicated that bilateral ties have quietly entered a new phase after the political upheavals of 2025. The relation is being fine-tuned, not reset-and a host of long-standing issues remain largely unresolved.

The signs of this recalibration are visible in the recent diplomatic itinerary. Following Rabi Lamichhane's high-level meetings with top BJP leaders and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Foreign Ministe...