KATHMANDU: Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has invited Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah for an official visit to India, with both countries aiming to ensure the trip produces concrete outcomes, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said.
According to Foreign Minister Khanal, Modi extended the invitation in a congratulatory message shortly after Shah assumed office on March 27, reports said.
Khanal, who is attending the ninth Indian Ocean Conference, said preparations are underway to make the visit meaningful and productive rather than ceremonial.
According to him, Prime Minister Khanal has accepted the invitation, but the visit will take place only after sufficient groundwork is completed at both technical and political levels to ensure tangible results.
On the sidelines of the conference, Khanal and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar agreed that future high-level engagements should follow the identification and prioritisation of key projects aligned with Nepal’s national interests.
According to Foreign Minister Khanal, both sides have agreed to activate bilateral mechanisms by focusing on shared priorities and exploring new areas of cooperation before holding top-level meetings, including those involving prime ministers and foreign ministers.
It should be noted that Indian Prime Minister Modi called Shah after the election results and later congratulated him on assuming office, expressing his willingness to work closely to further strengthen India-Nepal relations for mutual benefit.
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