Swaraj arrives in Nepal on ‘political mission’ for 2 days
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday on a two-day visit that is being seen as a “political” mission to reach out to CPN-UML chief KP Oli, who is expected to be the next prime minister of Nepal.
Nepal’s state minister for finance Udaya Sumsher Rana, other government officials and Indian ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri welcomed her at Tribhuvan International Airport.
“I don’t have any agenda. Nepal is our friendly neighbour and I am here to strengthen bilateral relations,” said Swaraj.
“I am here to meet our friends,” added Swaraj, who was accompanied by newly appointed foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale and Sudhakar Dalela, joint secretary (north) in the external affairs ministry.
KATHMANDU:
On Thursday evening, Swaraj was slated to meet Oli and a delegation of senior CPN-UML leaders. Oli will host a banquet in honour of Swaraj and the Indian delegation.
The meeting between Swaraj and the CPN-UML leadership is expected to be the highlight of the visit as Oli is expected to form the new government within a couple of weeks.
A leftist alliance headed by Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ swept last year’s parliamentary polls.
Swaraj will also meet Madhes-based leaders. Before wrapping up her visit, she will meet President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Prachanda.