Given the less-than-rosy nature of Indo-Nepal ties, it wasn’t surprising thatKathmandu failed to warm up to Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee when hedropped by last month. Most Nepalis acknowledged him with the measured scepticism usuallyreserved for all visiting officials from India. And why not? Such visits follow a setroutine: a hyped-up arrival, a few open-ended agreements and a departure amid mutualcommitment to age-old friendship.