In 2016, the two countries had decided to establish a joint oversight mechanism to review progress in bilateral projects

Two days after Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma gave a ring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and greeted him on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day, the two neighbouring countries held their first high level contacts on Monday

"The two sides reviewed the progress of development projects under Indian cooperation," a tweet from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

While Indian side was led by Kathmandu-based Indian Ambassador Vinay M Kwatra, Nepal was led by Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi in the meeting.

In 2016, the two countries had decided to establish a joint oversight mechanism to review progress in bilateral projects.

This was the first high-level meeting between the two sides hit by border row. Relations between the two countries touched all-time low when Nepal’s parliament in June passed a new political map, incorporating Indian territory of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

Upset at the development, India issued a strong statement, maintaining, “This artificial enlargement of claims is not based on historical facts or evidence and is not tenable. It is also violative of our current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues.”