Nepal PM Balendra Shah's first bilateral visit to India takes shape

Preparations are underway for Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah's official visit to India, though the dates and agenda are yet to be finalised, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing Foreign Ministry sources.

The proposed trip would be Shah's first official bilateral visit abroad since he took office on March 27. He travelled to the United States in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

Shah received an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India after the government led by the Rastriya Swatantra Party leader was formed in March.

Nepal Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri told PTI that the date of the visit would be decided by mutual agreement between the two countries.

The ministry is making routine preparations for the visit, which could take place after Nepal's major Hindu festivals, including Vijaya Dashami, Deepawali and Chhath. Chhetri said the festival season could continue until mid-November.

Newly elected Nepali prime ministers have traditionally chosen India as their first official bilateral destination, though this is not an absolute rule. Former prime minister K P Sharma Oli departed from the practice in 2024 by visiting China first.

During his address to the UN General Assembly, Shah proposed a three-country mechanism involving Nepal, India and China to cooperate in tackling the effects of climate change. Sources told PTI that he is likely to raise the proposal during bilateral talks with Modi.

The proposal followed devastating floods and landslides in Nepal on August 26 that killed more than 1,400 people and highlighted the need for greater regional cooperation to address climate-related disasters.

Shah's proposed India visit remains under preparation, with both countries expected to mutually decide its dates and agenda after Nepal's festival season.

With PTI Inputs

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