Prime Minister Balendra Shah is departing for the United States on Tuesday evening.
He is traveling to New York to lead a high-level Nepali delegation to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
This marks Shah’s first foreign trip since becoming prime minister.
According to the prime minister’s press expert, Dipa Dahal, PM Shah is scheduled to depart for the US on a Qatar Airways flight from Tribhuvan International Airport at 7 p.m.
There will, however, be no traditional farewell ceremony for the prime minister before his departure. Previously, a contingent of the Nepal Army would present a guard of honor at the airport whenever the prime minister traveled abroad—a practice observed both upon departure and return.
According to a source close to the prime minister, the tradition will be discontinued this time.
In the past, the speaker, deputy speaker, and ministers would go to Tribhuvan International Airport to see off a prime minister traveling abroad.
There was also a practice of holding a formal farewell ceremony at the VVIP lounge. That ceremony will also not take place this time, according to the source.
“There is no schedule for a guard of honor or farewell. There used to be a traditional farewell ceremony in the past, but that will not happen this time. There had been consideration of having Prime Minister Shah depart through the regular passenger entrance, but due to time constraints, he will board the flight through the VVIP lounge,” the source close to the prime minister said.
PM Shah is scheduled to leave his official residence in Baluwatar at 6:20 p.m. and reach the airport ahead of his 7 p.m. flight.
Security agencies have also been informed about the arrangements.
PM Shah’s delegation includes Chief Advisor Kumar Byanjankar, Chief Personal Secretary Subash Sharma, Private Secretary Pradeep Pariyar, and photographer Binay Shakya, among others.
PM Shah will address the high-level session of the UN General Assembly on September 24.
The Nepali delegation led by Shah will include Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal.
While in New York, the prime minister is scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
PM Shah is scheduled to return to Nepal on September 26.
