Prakash Kafle/Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has stated that the government has already given in-principle approval for Prime Minister Balen Shah’s visit to India. Speaking to the Indian online outlet WION while attending the Ninth Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, Minister Khanal said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Balen Shah through a congratulatory message, and the government has agreed to it in principle. However, he clarified that the date and formal schedule of the visit have not yet been finalized.
“Our Prime Minister received the invitation in a congratulatory message and has accepted it. However, the date and time will be determined by our respective mechanisms,” Minister Khanal said. According to him, after the elections, Indian Prime Minister Modi had communicated with Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and current Prime Minister Balen Shah. Since then, dialogues have continued at various levels between the two countries. He also mentioned that during his meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister in Mauritius, discussions were held on bilateral relations and the priorities of the new government.
He further noted that there are around 40 bilateral mechanisms between Nepal and India, and that efforts are currently underway to set internal priorities.
However, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat has expressed unawareness regarding the matter.
“We are not aware of any such discussions regarding a visit to India,” a member of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said.
बालेन शाहको भारत भ्रमणबारे सैद्धान्तिक सहमति भएको परराष्ट्रमन्त्रीको दाबी, तर टुंगो लागेन
