Kathmandu: The International Relations & Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) on July 17 hosted H.E. Shri Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary and Head of the North Division at the Ministry of External Affairs of India, for a cordial interaction in Kathmandu, reaffirming the shared commitment of Nepal and India to deepen institutional cooperation, people-to-people engagement, and diplomatic dialogue.
H.E. Shri Munu Mahawar was accompanied by Ms. Gitanjali Brandon, Counsellor (Political), Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, H.E. Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, President of IRGDD, Ambassadors Club Nepal, Diplomat Nepal, and Diplomatic Academy Nepal (DAN), described the visit as a significant opportunity to further strengthen institutional engagement between Nepal and India.
Recalling their diplomatic association during their simultaneous postings in the Sultanate of Oman, Amb. Dr. Sarmila expressed her appreciation for Shri Mahawar’s continued engagement with Nepal in his current role as Head of the North Division of India’s Ministry of External Affairs. She commended his valuable contribution to strengthening Nepal–India relations, promoting mutual trust, and advancing the enduring people-to-people ties that form the foundation of the two countries’ unique partnership.
Introducing IRGDD, Amb. Dr. Sarmila highlighted that the institution is an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit international think tank dedicated to advancing diplomacy, strategic policy research, leadership development, and international cooperation through Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomacy. She noted that IRGDD works closely with governments, diplomatic missions, international organizations, academia, development partners, and the private sector to promote dialogue, peace, economic diplomacy, sustainable development, and regional cooperation.
She further introduced IRGDD’s sister institutions—Ambassadors Club Nepal, which promotes friendship and cooperation among the diplomatic community accredited to Nepal; Diplomat Nepal, a dedicated platform for informed discourse on diplomacy, foreign policy, and global affairs; and the Diplomatic Academy Nepal (DAN), which is committed to developing future diplomatic leaders through innovative, technology-driven diplomatic education.
Highlighting IRGDD’s growing international engagement, Amb. Dr. Sarmila recalled the landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed between IRGDD and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in New Delhi on 7 August 2025, describing it as a milestone in strengthening institutional cooperation between Nepal and India through joint research, policy dialogue, academic exchanges, publications, conferences, and leadership development.
She also expressed IRGDD’s anticipation of welcoming Smt. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Additional Secretary and Acting Director General of ICWA, to Nepal in the near future to further expand collaboration between the two institutions.
Amb. Dr. Sarmila noted that Shri Mahawar’s engagements during his visit to Nepal reflected the shared determination of both governments to deepen bilateral cooperation and further consolidate the longstanding friendship between the two neighbouring countries.
In his remarks, Shri Munu Mahawar expressed his pleasure at visiting IRGDD and appreciated the remarkable institutional growth achieved under the leadership of Amb. Dr. Sarmila. He observed that the vision she had shared over the years had evolved into dynamic institutions dedicated to diplomacy, research, and international engagement.
Referring to the partnership between IRGDD and ICWA, Shri Mahawar welcomed the collaboration with one of India’s oldest and most respected foreign policy institutions. He reaffirmed that Nepal and India enjoy a unique and enduring partnership rooted in shared history, culture, geography, and close people-to-people ties. Expressing optimism about the future of bilateral relations, he underscored the positive momentum in cooperation between the two governments and conveyed confidence that Nepal–India relations would continue to grow stronger across multiple sectors.
As a mark of appreciation, Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal presented H.E. Shri Munu Mahawar with a token of appreciation in recognition of his distinguished service and continued contribution to strengthening Nepal–India bilateral relations, promoting mutual understanding, and advancing closer friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
The interaction concluded with a constructive exchange of views on expanding institutional partnerships, strengthening policy dialogue, and promoting collaborative initiatives in diplomacy, research, economic diplomacy, education, and regional cooperation.
Reaffirming its mission, IRGDD stated that it will continue to serve as a trusted platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and international cooperation, complementing official diplomacy while fostering stronger partnerships between Nepal and the global community
