The commencement of Exercise Suryakiran XIX on November 25, 2025 brought renewed focus to the deep and multifaceted India–Nepal bilateral relationship. India and Nepal share a unique relationship — a 1,751 km open border, the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship (which allows citizens of both nations to live and work freely in each other's country), and deep cultural, linguistic, and religious ties described as the 'Roti-Beti' relationship. Nepal is landlocked and depends on India for transit access to seaports, power cooperation, including cross-border transmission and bi-directional power trade, and most essential commodities. India is Nepal's largest trade partner and source of foreign investment. Key bilateral frameworks include: the India–Nepal Joint Commission (highest bilateral forum), the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) process to review the 1950 Treaty, hydropower cooperation including Lower Arun and Phukot Karnali, and border guarding and internal-security duties by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). However, the relationship has faced periodic strains — the Kalapani territorial dispute (Lipulekh Pass area), Nepal's 2020 political map controversy, Chinese influence expansion through BRI investments in Nepal, and domestic political instability in Nepal. From India's strategic perspective, Nepal is critical under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy — ensuring a stable, friendly Nepal prevents Chinese encirclement of India's northern flank. Defence cooperation through exercises like Suryakiran, UN peacekeeping coordination, and shared counterterrorism frameworks are key pillars of the security partnership. Rajasthan connection: Several Gorkha (Nepal-origin) regiment soldiers have historical connections to Rajasthan's military history, and Rajasthan's border proximity to the western theatre adds to the state's strategic defence significance.
India–Nepal Relations: Historical Ties, Strategic Importance, and Evolving Bilateral Framework
The commencement of Exercise Suryakiran XIX on November 25, 2025 brought renewed focus to the deep and multifaceted India–Nepal bilateral relationship. India and Nepal share a unique relationship — a 1,850 km open border, the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship (which allows citizens of both nations to live and work freely in each other's country), and deep cultural, linguistic, and religious ties described as the 'Roti-Beti' relationship. Nepal is landlocked and depends on India for transit access to seaports, energy imports (India supplies over 800 MW of electricity to Nepal), and most essential commodities. India is Nepal's largest trade partner and source of foreign investment. Key bilateral frameworks include: the India–Nepal Joint Commission (highest bilateral forum), the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) process to review the 1950 Treaty, joint hydropower projects (Arun III, Upper Tamakoshi), and border infrastructure development through the Sashasthra Seema Bal (SSB). However, the relationship has faced periodic strains — the Kalapani territorial dispute (Lipulekh Pass area), Nepal's 2020 political map controversy, Chinese influence expansion through BRI investments in Nepal, and domestic political instability in Nepal. From India's strategic perspective, Nepal is critical under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy — ensuring a stable, friendly Nepal prevents Chinese encirclement of India's northern flank. Defence cooperation through exercises like Suryakiran, UN peacekeeping coordination, and shared counterterrorism frameworks are key pillars of the security partnership. Rajasthan connection: Several Gorkha (Nepal-origin) regiment soldiers have historical connections to Rajasthan's military history, and Rajasthan's border proximity to the western theatre adds to the state's strategic defence significance.
Key facts
- India and Nepal share a 1,751 km open border and 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
- India supplies over 800 MW of electricity and is Nepal's largest trade partner.
- Joint hydropower projects include Arun III and Upper Tamakoshi on shared rivers.
- Bilateral strains include the Kalapani dispute and China's BRI influence expansion in Nepal.
- Exercise Suryakiran XIX reflects defence cooperation under the 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
- Nepal is strategically critical to prevent Chinese encirclement of India's northern flank.
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Source: PIB / MEA India / Organiser / Tribune India
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between India and Nepal, and what unique rights does it grant?
The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship is a foundational bilateral agreement that gives citizens of India and Nepal the unique right to live, work, own property, and move freely in each other's country without requiring a visa or work permit. This 'open border' arrangement — along the 1,850 km India-Nepal boundary — is unparalleled in South Asia and reflects the depth of the 'Roti-Beti' relationship between the two nations.
What is the Kalapani dispute between India and Nepal?
The Kalapani dispute concerns a strategically located tri-junction area at the intersection of India, Nepal, and China. Nepal claims Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura as its territory, while India administers the region and considers it part of Uttarakhand. The dispute intensified in 2020 when Nepal released a new political map asserting its claim. It remains an unresolved bilateral irritant despite the otherwise close relationship.
What is Exercise Suryakiran and what is its significance?
Exercise Suryakiran is the annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Nepal Army. Suryakiran XIX was launched on November 25, 2025. It is one of India's most important bilateral defence exercises and reflects the deep defence cooperation under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The exercise builds interoperability for counter-terrorism and disaster relief operations.
Why is Nepal strategically critical for India's security?
Nepal shares India's entire northern border with Tibet (China) and sits between India and China. If Nepal were to align closely with China, it could threaten India's northern flank by enabling Chinese military presence or intelligence activities near India's heartland. Nepal also provides India strategic depth and access routes. Maintaining a close, friendly Nepal is therefore essential to preventing Chinese encirclement of India's north.
What is China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and how does its expansion into Nepal affect India?
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure and investment programme through which China finances roads, railways, ports, and digital infrastructure in partner countries. Nepal joined BRI in 2017. China's growing infrastructure presence in Nepal through BRI raises India's concerns about increasing Chinese influence along its northern border, potential dual-use infrastructure, and the gradual erosion of India's traditional strategic primacy in Nepal.
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