Nepal’s Foreign Minister to visit India from August 18 to 22

Originally scheduled for a routine health checkup in Delhi, Rana, 62, who is also the spouse of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, visit has been upgraded to an official trip following the Indian government’s invitation.

Rana is visiting India from August 18 to 22 at the invitation of Jaishankar, the foreign ministry said in a statement. (X/@Arzuranadeuba)

Nepal’s new Foreign Minister, Arzu Deuba Rana, is set to embark on a five-day official visit to India starting August 18. During her trip, she will meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation, according to a statement from Nepal’s foreign ministry.

Rana’s visit, from August 18 to 22, comes at the invitation of Jaishankar. “During the visit, Foreign Minister Rana will hold a bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Jaishankar and discuss matters of mutual interest for strengthening Nepal-India relations and promoting cooperation,” the foreign ministry said.

As part of the regular high-level exchanges between Nepal and India, Rana’s visit will strengthen the long-standing and multifaceted relationship between the two nations, the statement noted.

“Nepal is a priority partner of India in its Neighbourhood First policy. The forthcoming visit will provide both sides an opportunity to discuss and review the progress in bilateral cooperation and help in advancing our ties further,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement in New Delhi.

This trip follows a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, which endorsed the visit programme. It will be Rana’s first official visit abroad since taking office. The visit also follows a recent trip by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Nepal.

Also read | Prachanda out, Oli in: Another churn in Kathmandu

Originally scheduled for a routine health checkup in Delhi, Rana, 62, who is also the spouse of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, visit has been upgraded to an official trip following the Indian government’s invitation. She will also visit a prominent private hospital in New Delhi for a follow-up related to a previous operation for hyperparathyroidism.

– With inputs from PTI

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram