Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, 1 Feb 2018) – Indian External Affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj began her political meetings immediately after she arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday for two days visit.
Giving an indication that the visit was to build rapport with leftist forces of Nepal, she held first meeting with the CPN -UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli at Soaltee Hotel. Former Prime Minister Oli is also the Prime Minister-in-waiting
During the meeting, the duo discussed bilateral relationship between the two countries and contemporary political issues of Nepal. The Indian Minister has arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon. UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, leader Subash Chandra Nembang , Bishnu Paudel, Bishnu Rimal, Rajan Bhattari among other leaders were present in the meeting.
Oli and Shushma held one-to -one meeting for 45 minutes and the meeting later converted into delegation level meeting. After the meeting, Minister swaraj attended the dinner hosted by UML in honor of her at the same hotel.
According to a UML leader participated at the delegation level meeting, Indian Minister Swaraj congratulated UML, especially its Chairman Oli for the election victory.
She also conveyed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s verbal message in regards the successfully completion of three-tiers elections institutionalizing the historic achievements made by the peoples movement.
While mentioning the Prime Minister Modi’s two telephonic conversations with Oli, she said these calls were the evident of Modi’s priority to Nepal. She invited Oli to visit India after taking the charge of Premiership.
Minister Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi is looking forward to work with new Nepal government for bringing the bilateral relations into newer heights.
In response Oli warmly welcomed Minister Swaraj and reciprocated the India’s eagerness to working with the new government of Nepal. She was also briefed about the undergoing procedural work to form the government that might take three weeks more.
Oli also assured Swaraj that New Nepal government is also looking to work with Modi for the promotion of bilateral relations leaving aside the misunderstandings that plagued the relations.
Minister Swaraj was welcomed at the Tribhuvan International Airport by State Minister for Finance Udaya Shumser Rana and Foreign Minister Officials. During her visit to Nepal, she is scheduled to hold a meeting with the presidium members of the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Before returning to New Delhi, she will pay a courtesy call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari.This is Minister Swaraj’s 7th visit to Nepal since assuming office in May 2014.