Foreign Minister Khanal returning home after attending Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius

April 13, Kathmandu : Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal is returning home today after completing his participation in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference 2026 held in Port Louis, Mauritius.

The three-day conference (April 10–12), themed “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance,” brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from several countries to discuss regional cooperation, maritime security, climate change, and economic connectivity.

On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Khanal held bilateral meetings with several foreign counterparts, including India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

He met India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral mechanisms, review development cooperation, and prepare for upcoming high-level exchanges. Khanal also met Bhutan’s Foreign Minister and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, focusing on regional cooperation, trade facilitation, and connectivity issues.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister also took part in discussions hosted by the Indian Ocean Commission, where member and observer countries highlighted shared concerns over maritime security and climate risks affecting the region.

During the conference, Khanal emphasized that Nepal, though landlocked, remains deeply connected to the Indian Ocean through trade, climate systems, and global supply chains. He also highlighted the impact of global instability on Nepal, particularly in terms of fuel prices and the safety of Nepali migrant workers abroad.