India Formally Invites Nepal PM Balendra Shah to New Delhi, MEA Confirms
India has formally invited Nepal’s new Prime Minister Balendra Shah to visit New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday. The invitation was sent through proper diplomatic channels, following an initial congratulatory message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We have invited Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah formally.” This confirmation comes after reports in Nepali media that Mr. Shah’s advisor had visited New Delhi in early July and discussed potential dates with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier congratulated Mr. Shah on his election victory, saying the appointment reflected the trust of the Nepali people. He expressed willingness to deepen bilateral ties for mutual benefit. Officials noted that Mr. Modi’s message was the starting point, and the formal invitation followed diplomatic protocols.
Relations between India and Nepal have seen developments since Mr. Shah’s party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, came to power. A planned visit by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Kathmandu in May did not materialise after Mr. Shah indicated he would only meet political counterparts, not high-level bureaucrats. Subsequently, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Sisir Khanal visited India in June, and India also hosted Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the ruling party, the same month.
Mr. Shah had earlier stated his intention to focus on domestic priorities and avoid foreign visits initially. However, he has also raised the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura territorial dispute with India in Nepal’s parliament, mentioning that Nepal is in talks with the United Kingdom for historical documents related to the dispute. He also expressed willingness to discuss the issue with China.
The formal invitation signals India’s intention to engage with the new government in Kathmandu despite the outstanding border issues. The timing and agenda of Mr. Shah’s visit are yet to be announced.
