Kathmandu, Nov 9: Prime Minister Balendra Shah is preparing to visit India, with November 22 being considered the tentative departure date. According to the Prime Minister’s Office. The date could shift by a day or two depending on preparations.
Prime Minister’s Press Adviser Deepa Dahal said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading preparations, with the visit likely to take place in the first week of Mangsir or early in the second week.
This will be Shah’s first bilateral foreign visit since taking office. Talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to focus on economic assistance, infrastructure development, water resources, trade, transit and border disputes.
Preparations gathered pace following a meeting between Shah and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday. Misri handed Shah an invitation letter from Modi and discussed arrangements for the visit.
Shah expressed interest in visiting result-oriented, saying he wanted to strengthen bilateral ties and secure concrete outcomes. He had earlier said he would avoid foreign visits during his first year in office.
According to Foreign Ministry sources, Nepal has already submitted its proposals to India. Kathmandu wants the visit to produce bilateral agreements and commitments that can be implemented, rather than remain limited to formal meetings.
Economic assistance is expected to be a major agenda item, particularly for reconstruction following the recent devastating floods and infrastructure development.
Nepal has proposed a total assistance package of $2 billion from India, comprising $1 billion in concessional loans, $500 million in grants and another $500 million for post-flood reconstruction.
Sources say the two prime ministers could make important announcements on financial and other assistance during their meeting.
Nepal also plans to seek India’s cooperation in advancing stalled development projects, particularly in hydropower, energy, road and air connectivity, trade and transit.
Kathmandu is expected to request regular Indian airline services to Pokhara International Airport and direct flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport. India has previously been reluctant to approve operations at the two airports, which were built with Chinese involvement.
Nepal also wants to revive the long-delayed Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project. Civil aviation officials from both countries may discuss flight connectivity before the prime minister’s visit.
The Kalapani and Lipulekh border dispute could also figure in the discussions. Although Indian media reports say the issue has not been included in the proposed official agenda, Nepali officials may seek to raise it during bilateral talks.
Nepal remains interested in discussing the disputed territories if India agrees to engage. The issue has strained bilateral relations, particularly since the KP Sharma Oli government published a revised national map incorporating Kalapani and Lipulekh. Whether the dispute receives formal attention during Shah’s meeting with Modi remains to be seen.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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