Sushma’s 7th Nepal Visit Hints at Good News for Indo-Nepal Ties

Sushma Swaraj’s seventh visit to Nepal comes in the midst of a changing political narrative in Nepal

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj meeting CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli

(Photo Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs/Altered by The Quint)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a one-on-one meeting with Nepal's Left alliance leader and CPN-UML chairman K P Sharma Oli on 1 February, to discuss ways to take the India-Nepal relationship forward.

Oli, who is likely to be the next prime minister, called on Swaraj at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu, Nepal on the evening of 1 February.

The two leaders held wide ranging discussions on ways to take the special relationship between India and Nepal forward, Kumar said.

Swaraj congratulated the Nepalese people and the government for successful conclusion of the elections, senior CPN-UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said.

She also congratulated Oli for the clear mandate received by the Left alliance in the Parliamentary elections, he said.

She said Nepal and India enjoy cordial relations and government of India is eagerly looking to work with the new Left alliance government.

After successfully conducting elections, Nepal has attained political stability which will be instrumental in attaining economic prosperity for the country, she said.

On his part, Oli said his party is eager to work in collaboration with neighbouring countries and would forge partnership with India to move forward the country towards the path of economic prosperity.

According to CPN-UML sources, the meeting lasted for 45 about minutes. Oli also hosted a dinner in honour of Swaraj, who arrived today on a two-day official visit to Nepal on 1 February.

Swaraj also met with leaders of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, including Rajendra Mahato and Mahanta Thakur, and Federal Socialist Party Nepal president Upendra Yadav.

She is the first senior Indian minister to visit Nepal after the conclusion of elections to local bodies, provincial assemblies, and federal Parliament.

Nepal successfully concluded three phase of provincial, local and parliamentary elections as part of its efforts to implement the new Constitution that was promulgated in September 2015.

The Left alliance of CPN (UML) and the CPN (Maoist Center) won a majority of the seats in parliamentary polls.

The alliance is preparing to form a new government which is expected to be headed by Oli. Earlier, Oli sent a letter to PM Modi extending his wishes on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day of India.

Earlier, Swaraj was welcomed at the Tribhuvan International Airport by Deputy Finance Minister Udaya Shumsher Rana and Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi.

I have come to meet friends here and there is no fixed agenda for discussion.

Sushma Swaraj to PTI

Swaraj will also meet President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba during her visit.

Swaraj also met with former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' over breakfast on 2 February.

The clear victory to the Left alliance – CPN-UML led by Oli and the CPN-Maoist led by Prachanda – was not seen as a positive development for India given that Oli had publicly criticised New Delhi for interfering in Nepal's internal matters and accused it of toppling his government last year.