Nepal to seek Indian aid and investment during Balen Shah's visit
Prime Minister Balen Shah aims to secure financial commitments for flood reconstruction and hydropower during his proposed trip to India in late November.
Nepal will seek Indian financial assistance for flood reconstruction, hydropower investment, and the implementation of stalled infrastructure projects during Prime Minister Balen Shah's proposed visit to India in late November, according to The Times of India.
The visit follows months of diplomatic friction, including differences over Lipulekh and a previously postponed visit by Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri. While the exact dates for the trip have not been formally announced, it is expected in the latter half of November.
Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri is expected in Kathmandu on November 4 to finalise the agenda with senior Nepali officials. New Indian ambassador Sudhakar Dalela is expected to arrive in Kathmandu on November 3.
A source from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) told The Times of India that the Prime Minister wants the visit to deliver tangible results. The priority is to secure commitments for flood reconstruction and projects that have remained stalled for years.
Kathmandu is seeking Indian grants and concessional loans to rebuild roads and bridges damaged during the floods in August. Discussions are also expected to cover cross-border connectivity, including petroleum pipelines, border bridges, and integrated check posts.
Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle previously addressed the shift in messaging towards India at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi in October, stating that the era of associating Nepali nationalism with anti-India sentiment is over.