Stories
Nepal PM Balendra Shah Eyes India Visit After Mid-November
- •Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is preparing for his first official bilateral visit to India, expected to take place after mid-November following major Hindu festivals.
- •Climate change and regional cooperation are anticipated to be key agenda items, with Shah likely to propose a trilateral mechanism involving Nepal, India and China.
- •The proposed visit follows the traditional diplomatic practice of newly elected Nepali prime ministers choosing India for their first official overseas bilateral trip.
- •Official dates and the final agenda are yet to be finalised and will be decided through mutual consultations between Kathmandu and New Delhi.
Key Questions Answered
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah may visit India after mid-November. Routine preparations are currently underway by both Kathmandu and New Delhi, with the schedule likely to be influenced by Nepal's major festival calendar including Vijaya Dashami, Deepawali, and Chhath.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah is expected to pitch a trilateral mechanism involving Nepal, India, and China to address regional climate change effects and extreme weather risks. He previously proposed this framework during his address to the United Nations General Assembly following devastating floods and landslides in Nepal.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah travelled to the United States in September to lead the Nepali delegation at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. During his visit, he addressed the UN session, met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and prioritized Nepal's urgent climate crisis concerns.
