Kathmandu, August 9
A team from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations called on newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the Chinese team said there’s a possibility of China’s President Xi Jinping visiting Nepal in Asoj (about two months from now).
With the collapse of the KP Oli government, suspicions had gained ground that Xi may not come to Nepal.
But the CICIR team has come to Kathmandu after the formation of a new government in Nepal and given the message that President Xi’s planned visit to Nepal is not on hold as yet.
After Tuesday’s meeting between PM Prachanda and the Chinese team, PM’s press adviser Govinda Acharya said: They (the Chinese team) said there’s a likelihood of Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting Nepal in Asoj.
The CICIR team came to Nepal after visiting Bangladesh and India. Its Nepal visit is being seen as part of preparations for President Xi’s Nepal visit. Xi plans to attend the eighth summit of BRICS in Goa, India, on October 15-16. Officials indicate Xi may visit Nepal and Bangladesh around that time.
