Kathmandu, May 27: Amid uncertainty regarding Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s proposed visit to India, Rabindra Lamichhane, the president of Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is expected to travel to New Delhi in the first week of June.
According to party officials, while the possibility of Lamichhane’s visit to India is high, no official announcement has been made by either side yet.
RSP spokesperson Manish Jha stated that Lamichhane may head to New Delhi in early June. He added, “A formal decision has not been made yet, but an announcement will be forthcoming in the next few days.”
Several party leaders mentioned that formal discussions within the organization regarding this issue have not yet taken place, but a visit to the neighboring country should be seen as a natural political process.
As reported by the Kathmandu Post, during his visit, Lamichhane may meet with several leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and BJP President Nitin Naveen.
This proposed visit comes at a time when tensions have arisen in Nepal-India relations in recent weeks. Earlier in May, Nepal sent protest letters to both India and China regarding a declaration that Indian pilgrims would travel to Kailash Mansarovar via the disputed Lipulekh region. Both Nepal and India claim the Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura areas, although India currently maintains effective control over these regions.
Additionally, increased enforcement of customs regulations on goods worth over 100 Nepali rupees coming from India has also heightened discomfort between the two nations. The Nepalese government stated that this measure was taken to curb smuggling. However, following an interim order from Nepal’s Supreme Court, this rule is currently not being enforced.
The mandatory lab testing requirement for every batch of Nepali tea entering the Indian market has also impacted Nepal’s tea exports. Subsequently, the Indian government amended the rule, exempting tea meant for domestic consumption from this testing.
Meanwhile, speculation regarding the relationship between the two countries intensified after the sudden cancellation of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s proposed visit to Nepal on May 11.
RSP Central Committee member and MP Prakash Chandra Pariyar stated that Lamichhane’s proposed visit to India should be viewed positively, as it would provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral issues.
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