Prime Minister Balen Shah is set to pay an official visit to India starting November 23.
According to high-level government sources, preparations for the visit are moving forward, with PM Shah expected to arrive in New Delhi on November 23.
However, both Nepal and India have yet to make a formal announcement regarding the date of the visit.
Earlier, Indian media outlets had published reports stating that PM Shah's visit to India could take place from November 23 to 25.
Indian media outlet Aaj Tak mentioned that Shah's visit to India had been proposed from November 23 to 25.
According to Aaj Tak, the proposed visit is likely to prioritize issues such as the expansion of railway and other transport connectivity between the two countries, energy, trade, infrastructure development, and post-flood reconstruction.
In particular, Aaj Tak noted, further progress could be made on the operation of the Raxaul-Kathmandu broad-gauge railway and the Janakpur-Ayodhya passenger train service.
On the energy front, the 750 MW West Seti and 450 MW Seti River-6 hydroelectric projects could also be important topics for bilateral discussion, according to the report. India's state-owned company NHPC is involved in the development of both projects.
Aaj Tak also reported that border infrastructure issues, such as the Dodhara-Chandani Integrated Check Post, a motorable bridge over the Mahakali River, and the Bhairahawa Integrated Check Post, are on the potential agenda of the visit.
The news report mentioned that discussions could also take place regarding a special package of Indian assistance for the reconstruction of structures damaged by the Bhotekoshi flood.
However, there has been no official confirmation regarding whether agreements will be signed or assistance announced for these projects.
India had extended an official invitation for a visit to PM Shah back in July. Since then, discussions have been ongoing between the two countries regarding the dates and agenda of the visit, according to sources.
On October 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that preparations were underway for PM Shah's visit to India, but that the dates had not been finalized.
Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said that the visit would take place at a time convenient for both Nepal and India.
Earlier, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle met Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to India. Those meetings included discussions on economic cooperation, energy, and the expansion of connectivity networks between the two countries.
PM Shah visited the United States in September to participate in the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Therefore, while the visit to India will not be his first foreign trip as prime minister, it will be his first official bilateral foreign visit.
No official details have yet been released regarding the full itinerary of PM Shah’s visit to India, formal talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, or potential agreements between the two countries.
