Kathmandu, 12 April (H.S.):

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has received an invitation for an official visit to India. According to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has accepted the invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During a sideline meeting between Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal—currently in Mauritius to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference—and India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, discussions were held regarding Prime Minister Shah's forthcoming trip to India.

From Mauritius, Foreign Minister Khanal informed via phone that in a congratulatory message sent by Indian Prime Minister Modi to Shah, an invitation was extended for a visit to India. The Nepal government has accepted it, though the date for the visit has not yet been finalized.

At present, the foreign ministries of both countries are making preparations for Balendra Shah's visit. Nepal's Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai stated that negotiations are ongoing between the governments of India and Nepal regarding the agenda for the visit.

Continuous meetings are being held with officials from India's Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to forge consensus on the agreements to be signed during the visit.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar