Political leaders have expressed optimism that Nepal-India relations will reach new heights and further dimensions will be explored to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two neighbours.

Speaking at an interaction programme on challenges of Nepal-India relationship titled 'Nepal-India Relations: Future Probabilities and Challenges' organised in Kathmandu on Tuesday, CPN-UML leader Rajan Bhattarai said discussions were being held to add further dimensions to the bilateral relations between the two countries. He opined that national interests should be put first while formulating the country's foreign policy to maintain cordial relationship with neighbouring countries.

"Nepal and India enjoy warm and friendly relations. This should further expand and deepen in coming days," said leader Bhattarai.

Minister for Water and Irrigation and Nepali Congress leader Mahendra Yadav expressed his hope the relations between the two countries would become stronger and jovial in coming days.

CPN (Maoist Center) leader Devendra Poudel stressed on the need to collaborate with both India and China while putting welfare of the country at its center. Rastriya Janata Party Nepal General Secretary Manish Suman expressed his sadness towards the trend of scorning India to reflect one's nationalistic character. He said Nepal should learn and benefit from India's rapid economic progress.