Nepal has been disproportionately affected by the 39-day war in West Asia, according to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, who noted that the landlocked Himalayan nation relies heavily on remittances sent home by migrant workers in the region. Speaking at the Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, Khanal welcomed a ceasefire brokered through talks held in Islamabad — led by Pakistan — though negotiations ended inconclusively on 12 April. The minister also signalled his intention to strengthen bilateral ties with India through structured diplomatic engagement ahead of a planned visit to New Delhi by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.