Kathmandu, November 4
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is set to begin high-level meetings in Kathmandu on Wednesday as part of preparations for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s upcoming visit to India.
Although neither the Nepali nor Indian side has officially released his meeting schedule, sources told Onlinekhabar that Misri will begin his engagements shortly after arriving in Kathmandu.
Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday morning. He is expected to meet Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai during the day.
He is also likely to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Shah.
“The schedule includes a meeting with the prime minister today. Depending on his availability, it could take place tomorrow instead,” a source told Onlinekhabar.
Misri is also expected to hold courtesy meetings with Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the party leading the government, Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal, among others.
After completing his engagements in Kathmandu, Misri is scheduled to return to India on Thursday afternoon, November 5.
‘Balen’s India visit soon’
Misri’s meetings have drawn attention because reports emerged a few months ago that he had postponed a previously scheduled visit after Prime Minister Shah failed to make time for a meeting.
Officials from both Nepal and India are now preparing for Shah’s visit to India in the second week of December, according to sources.
As part of the preparations, India’s newly appointed ambassador to Nepal, Sudhakar Dalela, also arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
On October 28, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed during a regular media briefing that the Indian government had already invited the Nepali prime minister to visit India.
Sources said officials at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs were preparing to announce the formal dates for Shah’s visit soon.
The announcement is expected to follow Misri’s current visit, according to sources.
