In a bid to revive ties with Nepal, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Kathmandu from February 1 to 2.
The visit comes weeks after Nepal elected a Leftist coalition, which won the first historic poll under the new Constitution of the country.
Expanding partnership
“The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level political exchanges between India and Nepal, and reflects the expanding bilateral partnership and the importance that the two countries attach to further strengthening it across diverse sectors,” a release from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday.
The visit by Ms. Swaraj will be the first big diplomatic engagement by the newly elected rulers of Kathmandu.
Significantly, only last week Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached out to the elected Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli wherein both the leaders had invited each other for a visit.
Cold ties
Ties between Mr. Oli and Mr. Modi had been cold since the former was the Prime Minister during the months-long economic blockade between 2015-16.
Mr. Oli fought the election through a coalition with former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ though he is yet to be formally sworn in.
“The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to hold discussions with political leaders of Nepal on issues of mutual interest, and to advance age-old, special ties of friendship between India and Nepal,” the release said.
