Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, 26 January 2018) – India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Nepal in the first week of February.
According to highly placed sources, Minister Swaraj will convey Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to Nepali top leaders that India was always with Nepal for fostering bilateral relations.
Swaraj will be the first highest foreign authority to visit Nepal after the first general election held under the new constitution promulgated on 20 Sept 2015.
Though India still has not fully welcomed the Nepal’s new constitution, Indian Prime Minister Modi has given signal that he will be ready to restore normalcy in bilateral relations reviewing the previous policy of ”high-handedness.”.
Nepal’s left alliance got the comfortable majority in election against the India’s deliberate move for supporting Nepali congress and Madhesi parties. Chairman of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, who was ousted by Delhi’s tacit support, has regained the power with overwhelming support of Nepali people.
Oli was the leader who brought the two left parties together in election and won the majority seats. During his nine months tenure as Prime Minister, he fought against the Indian blockade and won the sentiment of Nepali people, who was looking bold leadership to stand firmly for the independence and territorial integrity of the country.
It has been the perception in India that Oli’s elevation to power would be challenge to India to compete with China. Indian media and analysts have been constantly trying to establish a narrative that Oli will be closer to China leaving aside India.
Prime Minister Modi’s call to Chairman Oli, Prime Minister -in -waiting has already shown the shifting India’s policy towards Nepal aftermath of the election result. Modi held two telephonic conversation to Oli and has given invitation to visit India first saying he was looking forward to welcome in Delhi.
It is clear that the main aim of EAM Swaraj’s Nepal will be to take the confidence of Oli, who will be powerful Prime Minister of Nepal and will lead the government for full five year term. Therefore the visit will be looked as significant visit.