KATHMANDU, June 24: Preparations have begun at the diplomatic level for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to visit India immediately after returning from Spain. Although there has been talk of his India visit since his appointment as Prime Minister last year, it has not materialized until now. Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to visit Spain from June 29 to July 4 to attend the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development organized by the United Nations.
“A discussion is ongoing at the diplomatic level regarding the India visit,” said a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is only after almost a year since the formation of the government that discussions have taken place at the diplomatic level regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to India. “Discussions are ongoing at the diplomatic level of both countries to schedule Prime Minister Oli’s India visit for the end of June,” said a senior official at the Ministry. The Ministry has chosen not to comment on reasons behind why the visit could not take place despite previous discussions at the diplomatic level.
Earlier, there was talk that PM Oli might visit India before traveling to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate in the sixth BIMSTEC Summit. But that visit did not happen. During Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, both sides had discussed finalizing the proposed date based on India’s internal calendar, however the visit could not take place.
Since being appointed Prime Minister on June 29 last year, Oli has made a continuous effort to visit India. However, due to a lack of interest from the Indian side, his visit to Delhi has not happened. From December 2 to 14, PM Oli paid an official visit to northern neighbor China.
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Upon returning from China, PM Oli had said that he would finalize his India visit. Oli and Modi had a one-on-one meeting in Bangkok on April 4, during which Modi had reportedly invited him to India. Upon returning to Nepal, PM Oli stated that he would be visiting India. However, after his return, the topic of the India visit disappeared altogether.
This time, as the Indian side itself initiated discussion for the visit, Nepal is also making preparations. The Ministry has not officially announced the Spain visit yet. “If no special changes occur in the program, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to travel to Spain on June 29,” the Ministry source said. “Preparations are being made for the India visit immediately after returning from Spain.” The conference will be held from June 13 to July 3 in the city of Seville, Spain. The Prime Minister’s schedule is being prepared to return on July 4 after the conference concludes.
Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba will accompany the Prime Minister to Spain. Other members of the delegation have not yet been finalized. The United Nations has been organizing such conferences to provide financial resources and facilities for the development of least developed and developing countries.
Previously, such conferences were held in 2002, 2008, and 2015. During the event, government representatives from various countries, international and regional organizations, financial and trade institutions, civil society, and representatives of the United Nations will discuss financing for development and stronger international cooperation across various sessions. Nepal is the current chair of the group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Prime Minister Oli will represent not only Nepal but also the LDCs as a group.
Ahead of the planned India visit after Spain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started drafting possible agendas, understandings, and agreements. The Ministry, along with the Indian Embassy in Nepal, is making preparations. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Industry are also holding internal discussions on the matter. It is said that the schedule of the India visit will be discussed after PM Oli returns from Spain.
Prime Minister Oli’s visit to India could not happen earlier due to souring relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although PM Oli expressed willingness to visit, no formal invitation was extended by India. However, recently, particularly after the Pahalgam incident, talks of improved relations have circulated in political circles. After India expressed its commitment to fighting terrorism in Pahalgam, Nepal pledged support for India’s efforts against terrorism.
