Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to India scheduled for November 23 and 24
KATHMANDU:- India will be the first official foreign destination for Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen). Although he had traveled to the United States to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Balen considered that an unofficial visit; for this reason, he did not receive a ‘Guard of Honour’ at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava finalized the dates for Prime Minister Balen’s visit to India during a farewell meeting on Tuesday. Srivastava is returning to New Delhi on Thursday after completing a tenure of four years and three months.
Srivastava proposed the dates for Prime Minister Shah’s visit to India before returning home. It has already been finalized that Prime Minister Shah will visit India during the first week of Mangsir. Srivastava’s tenure concluded with the schedule set for Prime Minister Shah to visit India on the November 23 and 24.
“The Prime Minister’s visit was finalized during his tenure. A new ambassador from India is likely to arrive in Nepal soon and will begin preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit,” said a source at the Indian Embassy. It is reported that once the ambassador reaches New Delhi, dates—specifically the 7th and 8th of Mangsir—will be proposed; following formal approval by the Indian government, the foreign ministries of both countries will issue a statement.
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane paid an official visit to India last Asar and received a grand welcome in New Delhi. Since then, India has begun prioritizing Rabi over Balen. Consequently, there was speculation that Kumar Ben, Balen’s chief political advisor, had secretly visited New Delhi.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has also stated that the Prime Minister will soon undertake a result-oriented visit to India. Khanal, who returned home on Wednesday after participating in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, remarked that the Prime Minister would soon visit India and that the visit would yield tangible results.
