Kathmandu: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has emphasized the inseparable link between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean, calling for inclusive and rules-based cooperation to address climate change, security threats, and global supply chain disruptions.
Addressing the 9th Indian Ocean Conference 2026 on April 11 in Port Louis, Mauritius, Foreign Minister Khanal said Nepal, though landlocked, remains organically connected to the Indian Ocean through ecology, trade routes, and shared civilizational heritage. He stressed that the fate of the mountains and oceans are closely intertwined, noting that glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya feed major river systems that ultimately flow into the Indian Ocean.
Highlighting global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, the foreign minister expressed concern over the safety of Nepali nationals working in the region. He said the conflict has already resulted in the loss of one Nepali life and injuries to others, while also impacting fuel prices, supply chains, and livelihoods in Nepal.
Minister Khanal underscored that the conference theme, “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance,” requires moving beyond narrow national interests toward shared responsibility. He called for inclusive, transparent, and rules-based multilateral frameworks anchored in international law and guided by sovereign equality, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
The foreign minister warned that climate change is exposing the deep interdependence between mountains and oceans. He noted that rapid glacial retreat in Nepal is increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods, while warming waters in the Indian Ocean are accelerating sea-level rise threatening island and coastal communities. He urged recognition of the mountain-ocean nexus as a critical dimension of Indian Ocean governance.
Khanal also highlighted Nepal’s Sagarmatha Sambaad initiative as a global platform to address climate change through the mountain-ocean perspective. He called on participating countries to support cooperative action to protect both ecosystems.
Reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he emphasized that landlocked countries have inherent rights to access the high seas and participate in maritime trade. He also expressed concern over maritime terrorism, piracy, and illicit trafficking, stressing peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and adherence to international law.
Concluding his remarks, Khanal invoked the ancient “Samundra Manthan” metaphor, calling for compassion, cooperation, and shared responsibility to tackle global challenges. He reaffirmed Nepal’s readiness to act as a bridge between mountains and oceans and as a voice for landlocked nations in Indian Ocean governance.
