India and Nepal Foreign Ministers hold talks in New Delhi; MLAA processes completed
On 6 June 2026 in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held talks and welcomed completion of internal processes for the India–Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters.
Summary
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal held bilateral talks in New Delhi on 6 June 2026, during an official visit by Khanal that began on 5 June. Both Ministers welcomed the completion of internal processes for entry into force of the India–Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters (MLAA), which provides an institutional legal framework for investigation, prosecution and judicial proceedings on cross-border crimes. Jaishankar handed over 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage sector projects completed under India's post-2015 Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance to Nepal. The visit was the first at Foreign Minister level since Nepal's new Government took office in March 2026; the Embassy of India noted that Nepal is a priority partner under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Khanal also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 6 June 2026, New Delhi (visit from 5 June)
- Leaders
- S. Jaishankar and Shishir Khanal
- Legal
- Internal processes completed for India–Nepal MLAA in Criminal Matters
- Handover
- 72 health facilities, 12 cultural heritage projects (post-2015 Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance)
- Significance
- First FM-level visit since Nepal's new Government took office in March 2026
- Also met
- NSA Ajit Doval
- Policy link
- Nepal: priority partner under 'Neighbourhood First'
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Nepal's Foreign Minister who held talks with S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on 6 June 2026 was:
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Correct answer: C — Shishir Khanal
Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal held bilateral talks with Jaishankar in New Delhi on 6 June 2026.
During the India–Nepal talks of 6 June 2026, both Ministers welcomed the completion of internal processes for the entry into force of which agreement?
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Correct answer: A — Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters
Both Ministers welcomed completion of internal processes for the India–Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters (MLAA).
On 6 June 2026, India handed over 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage sector projects to Nepal. Under which programme were these completed?
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Correct answer: D — Post-2015 Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance
The projects were completed under India's post-2015 'Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance' to Nepal.
Consider the following statements about Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal's visit to India in June 2026: 1. It was the first Foreign Minister-level visit since Nepal's new Government took office in March 2026. 2. During the visit, Khanal also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are in the Embassy of India's note on the visit.