ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

India–Nepal Relations: Security, Diplomacy, and Strategic Importance

ABSTRACT The Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 is the framework of India and Nepal's one of the most complex and historically layered bilateral relations in South Asia. The present paper aims to comprehensively examine the changing contours of India–Nepal relations across three main areas such as security cooperation and border management, diplomatic engagement and frameworks, and the strategic significance of India–Nepal in the geopolitics of the region, especially the emerging triangular relationship between India and China and Nepal. Based on bilateral trade statistics ($8.7 billion during the fiscal year 2024-25), milestones in energy cooperation, institutional cooperation, and territorial disputes (including Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura), the paper analyzes the opportunities and challenges of this 'Roti-Beti' relationship. The study also looks at Nepal's strategic balancing act since the formation of the BRI under the current framework in 2024 and the impact it may have on India's Neighbourhood First policy. Although the study identifies persistent irritants, the structural interdependence between the two nations – economic, military, cultural and geographic – are the major factors influencing bilateral trajectories.