India and Nepal conducted the sixteenth bilateral consultation meeting of the India-Nepal Bilateral Consultative Group on Security Issues (INBCGSI) in Pune between 23–24 June, 2025, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The meeting focused on enhancing defence and security cooperation, while both nations continued to mark the International Day of Yoga with events across various locations in Nepal.
The Indian side was headed by Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Nepali delegation was led by Gahendra Rajbhandari, Joint Secretary (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides included officials from their respective Foreign and Defence Ministries, as well as representatives from the Indian and Nepali armies.
Under the MEA’s framework, the two countries held extensive and productive deliberations on several security-related matters, such as equipment supply, training programmes, joint military exercises, disaster response coordination, and military exchanges.
Delegates also toured both public and private defence production facilities in India to explore potential areas of future collaboration.
Established in 2003, the INBCGSI serves as the principal institutional mechanism for coordinating bilateral defence and security ties between India and Nepal.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Nepal and the Consulate General of India in Birgunj organised a series of events in ten cities and municipalities across Nepal to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga.
Activities took place in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lamjung, Lumbini, Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Rautahat, and Bariyarpur.
The celebrations commenced with a curtain-raiser event at Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple on 7 April, which included a Yoga demonstration to mark the 75-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga 2025. This year’s theme is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
As part of the 50-day countdown, the Embassy organised a Yoga session on 2 May at the ECHS Polyclinic in Kathmandu with participation from ex-servicemen of the Indian Army.
A session with the Nepali Army followed on 27 May at Nepal Army Headquarters Ground in Kathmandu, held during the 25-day countdown period.
The Embassy also arranged Yoga demonstrations at six UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath Temple (7 April), Kathmandu Durbar Square (6 June), Boudhanath and Swayambhunath Stupas (9 June), Changu Narayan Temple (10 June), and Patan Durbar Square (14 June).
These events saw widespread participation from Yoga enthusiasts, local officials, Indian expatriates, and Nepali celebrities.
On 13 June, over 150 students from Kathmandu schools took part in a Yoga session at Kendriya Vidyalaya. The event also featured a lecture-demonstration on the health benefits of Saatvik Aahar, promoting mindful eating rooted in traditional Indian dietary principles.
In collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Embassy hosted a Yoga session at ICIMOD headquarters in Kathmandu on 15 June, attended by representatives of both organisations.
On 19 June, a Yoga demonstration was held in Lamjung district in partnership with Madhya Nepal Municipality.
In Pokhara, the Embassy organised multiple sessions at iconic sites, including Sarangkot viewpoint, the Shiva Temple at Pumdikot, and the Shanti Stupa on Anadu Hill, integrating Yoga with the region’s natural beauty and spiritual ambience.
On 20 June, a large-scale Yoga and meditation session took place along the serene banks of Lake Phewa in Pokhara, with over 500 participants.
On the same day, another major event was organised at the Lumbini Development Trust in Lumbini, drawing more than 500 Yoga participants, including the Governor of Lumbini, Krishna Bahadur Gharti, and Nepal’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Teju Lal Chaudhary.
Addressing the gathering in Lumbini, the Governor thanked the Indian Embassy for organising a meaningful celebration at the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Ambassador Naveen Srivastava spoke of Yoga’s universal relevance and its value in encouraging healthier, more mindful living. The Minister of Youth and Sports also expressed appreciation for the event’s contribution to promoting well-being and unity through Yoga.
The main highlight of the celebrations was held on 21 June at Pokhara’s Rangsala Stadium, where a grand Yoga demonstration was organised in collaboration with Pokhara Metropolitan City.
The event attracted more than 7,000 Yoga practitioners from across the region and was attended by Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, and Mayor of Pokhara, Dhana Raj Acharya.
The Chief Minister commended the Indian Embassy for its efforts in delivering the event at such a scale, underscoring the importance of Yoga as a shared cultural heritage between India and Nepal.
Ambassador Srivastava described Yoga as a vital cultural bridge and proposed that such events could help boost Yoga tourism in Nepal. The Mayor of Pokhara also praised the Embassy’s initiative for helping position Pokhara as a prominent destination for visitors.
Additionally, the Consulate General of India held International Day of Yoga events in Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Rautahat, and Bariyarpur.
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