India Reiterates Invitation to Prime Minister Balen Shah for Visit

Kathmandu. India's invitation to Nepal's Prime Minister Balen Shah for a visit has once again come into discussion. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to a question during a recent regular press conference, stated that an invitation has been sent to Nepal's Prime Minister for a visit. Unconfirmed news emerged that Prime Minister Balen's advisor Kumar Ben went to India and met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, following which discussions about Prime Minister Balen's visit to India arose in Delhi. Although the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson confirmed sending the invitation, detailed information was not provided. He did not mention when the invitation was sent to Balen. The Prime Minister's Office has not given any official response to India regarding the invitation. A Foreign Ministry official said, 'When such an invitation comes between two countries, a response has to be sent. A response has to be sent saying thank you and will come at an appropriate time or will come on such and such a day, but it has not come to our notice that the Prime Minister's Office has responded so far.' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri also confirmed India's invitation during the Foreign Ministry's regular press conference. In response to a journalist's question, he said, 'Invitations for visits are received between the two countries. You will receive official information about when the visit will take place.' On Chaitra 13, immediately after Balen took the oath as Prime Minister, India sent an invitation for a visit in writing through its embassy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately sent the invitation to the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister Balen had responded positively to the invitation for the visit. Accordingly, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal met with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Mauritius on Chaitra 27 and gave a positive response regarding Prime Minister Balen's visit. It was reported that Foreign Minister Khanal stated during that meeting that the invitation from India had been received and Prime Minister Balen appeared willing to visit India. Before Prime Minister Balen's visit to India, India had shown interest in sending the Foreign Secretary to Nepal to discuss preparations for the visit and other matters. While Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Nepal was almost finalized, his visit was postponed as he would not be able to meet Balen. Now, discussions about Balen's visit to India have started again. It is not yet clear whether India has sent a repeated invitation to Balen or if the current discussion is based on the invitation sent initially. In the meantime, Rastriya Swatantra Party President Ravi Lamichhane and Foreign Minister Khanal have already visited India. However, Prime Minister Balen's visit remains limited to discussion so far.