New Delhi: Even as the Sino-Indian military standoff in Bhutanese territory continues at Doklam, Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will begin a four-day official visit to India starting Wednesday, his first visit abroad since becoming Prime Minister in June this year. The Doklam issue could figure in talks between the two countries with Nepal — a smaller neighbour of both India and China — watching the situation closely. China has been trying its level best to expand its influence in Nepal for the past several years, a matter of concern to New Delhi. Ties between India and Nepal began very well in the tenure of the Modi Government but were rocked by the Madhesi agitation in the Himalayan country.
Nevertheless, the prompt and massive assistance rendered by India to Nepal during the horrific earthquake there is remembered with gratitude by the Nepalese people despite the turbulence of the Madhesi agitation.
In a statement, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, “The Prime Minister of Nepal, accompanied by his spouse Dr Arzu Deuba, will be on a state visit to India from 23-27 August 2017 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is his first visit abroad after assuming the office of Prime Minister of Nepal in June 2017. A high-level delegation will accompany the Prime Minister of Nepal.”
The MEA added, “During the visit, the Prime Minister of Nepal will call on the President and vice-president and will hold talks with the Prime Minister of India. The external affairs minister and other ministers will call on the Prime Minister of Nepal. Apart from official engagements in New Delhi, the Prime Minister of Nepal will visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya. In recent years, India-Nepal partnership has witnessed significant growth in all areas of cooperation. The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest, and advancing age old, special ties of friendship between our two countries.”
