PM KP Oli to Visit India Starting September 16

After 14 months in office, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to visit India from Bhadra 31 (September 16) at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the official announcement is still pending, sources from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi have confirmed that the invitation has been received and the visit dates agreed upon.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Kshetri, the visit is confirmed, and preparations are in the final phase. “The invitation from the Indian counterpart has already arrived, and preparations are moving ahead swiftly,” he said. “While the final date and agenda are yet to be publicly declared, the Ministry is fully engaged in finalizing the arrangements.”

In a recent interview with journalist Vijay Kumar Pandey, PM Oli hinted that he would be visiting India soon and also noted that Prime Minister Modi might visit Nepal in November. Since Oli assumed office in Ashar 2081 (July 2024), efforts were underway for a Delhi visit. However, the plan had been delayed due to a lack of favorable response from the Indian side.

Despite the delay, Oli and Modi have met informally during international events in New York and Bangkok. During the UN General Assembly’s 79th session in September last year, Nepal had attempted to secure an official Delhi visit, but discussions remained inconclusive.

Bilateral ties between Nepal and India have been under strain since November 2019, when India released a new political map incorporating Kalapani, a disputed area claimed by Nepal. In response, Nepal issued a new map including Limpiyadhura, amended its constitution, and revised its national emblem — all during PM Oli’s tenure.

Relations remained cold until late 2024, when Oli signed the BRI Framework Agreement during his official visit to China, further irritating Delhi. Nonetheless, Oli maintained efforts to mend relations with India.

The most recent meeting between Oli and Modi occurred on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. Officials from the PM’s office claim the Bangkok meeting was more cordial than the one in New York, though it didn’t fully resolve India’s distrust toward Oli. “We kept communication channels open through various means, and finally, the visit has been confirmed,” a senior PMO official said.

According to government sources, PM Oli’s visit will be a two-day official tour, during which he will lead a Nepali delegation to New Delhi on September 16 (Bhadra 31). On the following day, bilateral talks with PM Modi are scheduled, along with agreements and memorandums of understanding expected to be signed. Coincidentally, September 17 (Asoj 1) is also PM Modi’s birthday — prompting optimism within the Nepali government for a favorable outcome.

Prior to the visit, several bilateral mechanisms are set to meet, including a Home Secretary-level meeting in New Delhi starting Tuesday, which will cover key issues such as the extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance.