Big projects, old disputes loom over PM Shah’s India visit
Summary
Kathmandu and New Delhi are preparing for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s first official bilateral visit abroad, with major projects, hydropower deals and longstanding disputes expected on the agenda. Talks with Narendra Modi are likely to cover the boundary issue, air routes, trade imbalance and post-flood reconstruction support.
Key Points
- Prime Minister Balendra Shah is expected to visit India in the third or fourth week of November for his first official bilateral trip abroad.
- The two sides are preparing to sign agreements and possibly inaugurate or launch several major projects, including border infrastructure, hydropower and a petroleum pipeline.
- Longstanding issues such as the boundary dispute, air-entry points, trade imbalance, the Pancheshwar project and trade and transit arrangements are also expected to be discussed.
- Nepal is seeking Indian support for reconstruction after the August 26 Bhotekoshi disaster and for its ambitions in artificial intelligence.
