In a first, the Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today left for India on a five-day state visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Leading a 59-member delegation, Deuba, on his first official trip abroad, departed for New Delhi at around 10 AM (local time).
The prime minister’s delegation comprises four ministers, 12 lawmakers from various political parties and nine secretaries. A separate business delegation is also accompanying him. Deuba’s wife Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Tourism Minister Jitendra Dev and Commerce Minister Meen Bishwakarma are also in the delegation.
Deuba had earlier told leaders of various parties that he would firmly ask India to honor its commitment and execute past agreements, including finalizing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the 6,000 MW Pancheshwar hydropower project that was signed some 20 years ago. Deuba, incidentally, was the PM then and had taken the initiative on the project. India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj apparently assured Deuba during her recent visit that India was keen to finalise the DPR soon.
The P.M is scheduled to address Indian business community in New Delhi today. On Thursday, he will attend the ceremonial reception and inspect the Guard of Honor at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold an official meeting with Modi. Deuba is scheduled to visit Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Bodh Gaya in Bihar before returning to Nepal on Sunday.
The visit to Delhi visit takes place in the background of the Doklam standoff. China wants Nepal to have a neutral stance on the matter. Beijing has also unleashed propaganda, which claims to expose Indian activities that undermine Nepal’s sovereignty. The Delhi visit will be a real test in diplomacy for Deuba. China was furious with him after he shared the stage with the prime minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile at an India Foundation seminar in Goa last year.
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