It was quite a charm offensive by the Indian foreign secretary.

Upon his arrival in Kathmandu, Harsha Vardhan Shringla spoke with the media in Nepali.

“I wanted to come here long ago, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic that could not happen,” Shringla told reporters at Tribhuvan International Airport. “I am delighted to be here.”

Describing Nepal and India as “close friends”, Shringla said his meetings [with Nepali officials] will focus on taking the friendship forward.