New Delhi, Dec. 16 -- As Nepal awaits foreign secretary-level talks with India to resolve the Kalapani boundary dispute, a possible change in India's Ministry of External Affairs is likely to further delay the expected meeting.

Officials in New Delhi told the Post that Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale retires at the end of January and whoever comes in next will have a host of pressing issues to deal with. The Narendra Modi government is currently embroiled in a number of controversies, both internal and external. Among them, the recent citizenship amendment bill has sparked riots and protests across India.

If Gokhale's term is not extended beyond January, the Kalapani talks will take a backseat as the new foreign secretary ...