Kathmandu, 30 October (H.S.): Preparations for Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s proposed maiden visit to India are gathering pace, with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri scheduled to undertake a two-day visit to Nepal on November 4 and 5. The primary objective of his visit will be to finalise the agenda for Shah’s proposed India trip and build consensus on issues concerning bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to India is tentatively scheduled for November 23 and 24, although no formal announcement has been made so far. Misri’s visit is expected to help finalise the itinerary, agenda and potential agreements to be taken up during the proposed trip. Discussions will also cover key engagements planned for the Prime Minister and possible agreements between the two countries. Efforts are expected to focus on securing an understanding to advance several important development projects and accelerate their implementation.

During his stay in Kathmandu, the Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shah. He is expected to hold high-level discussions with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Physical Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal, Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and other senior officials.

The inauguration of a proposed train service connecting Janakpur Dham with Ayodhya Dham is also expected to feature in the programme for Shah’s India visit. The initiative is being viewed as an important step towards promoting religious tourism, strengthening cultural ties and deepening people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit had also been reviewed during a recent trip to Kathmandu by Manu Mahawar, Additional Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs and head of its Nepal desk. During his visit, he met members of the Prime Minister’s team as well as Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal.

Meanwhile, Sudhakar Dalela, India’s newly appointed Ambassador to Nepal, is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on November 3 to assume charge. His arrival, followed by the Indian Foreign Secretary’s visit the next day, is being regarded as significant in the preparations for Prime Minister Shah’s proposed trip to India.

This will be Balendra Shah’s first visit to India since assuming office as Prime Minister. The visit is therefore being viewed as an opportunity to impart fresh momentum to bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of politics, trade and economy, energy, infrastructure and connectivity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar