Nepal's new Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, will be on a four-day State visit to India from Wednesday during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and review the India-Nepal relationship. The visit will also provide the two leaders to review the ongoing Indian projects in Nepal and explore ways to advance the relationship.
This is Deuba's first visit abroad after assuming the office of Prime Minister of Nepal in June 2017. A high-level delegation will accompany Deuba to hold discussions to boost trade, reconstruction and rebuilding work in Nepal after the earth quake, cooperation on flood management and increase security cooperation. Besides, Deuba is also expecte to seek India's help in providing logistical support to the Himalayan country that will go for local polls in November.
Incidentally, Deuba's visit comes against the backdrop of Nepal's Constitutional Amendment Bill (second amendment) failing to get through the legislature-Parliament on Monday. The amendment bill, that was tabled to address the demands of the Madhesis living in Nepal, fell short of 48 votes. India has been constantly advising Nepal to have an inclusive Constitution that addressed the aspirations of all sections of Nepalese society.
During the visit, Deuba will also call-on President Ramnath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. Besides, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and other union ministers will call on Deuba. Apart from official engagements in New Delhi, Deuba will also visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.
“In recent years, India-Nepal partnership has witnessed significant growth in all areas of cooperation. The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest, and advancing age old, special ties of friendship between our two countries,” Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Deuba was appointed Nepal’s PM for the fourth time after Pushp Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ stepped down in June. Prachanda’s Communist Party of Nepal and the Deuba’s Nepali Congress had last year entered into an agreement to rule for seven months each.
Accordingly, Prachanda stepped down in June making way for Deuba. Given the history of strong bond that Nepali Congress leaders share with India, starting from its founder BP Koirala who founded the party in 1947 from India, it is expected Deuba will maintain the momentum in India Nepal ties set by Prachanda.