In what looks like a step towards seeking a thaw in relations between Nepal and India, prime ministers of both the countries held direct talks on Saturday after a gap of around four months.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli rang up Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to congratulate India on its 74th Independence Day and said “Nepal looks forward to meaningful cooperation between Nepal and India.”

Oli’s Foreign Relations Advisor Rajan Bhattarai described the talks between the prime ministers of the two countries as an indication of the end of the months-long deadlock.

“Let’s see how communication in the future between the two countries moves,” Bhattarai told the Post. “We have always been in favour of dialogue.”

At least two officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office said Saturday’s development will help set the tone for bilateral talks in the near future.

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