KATHMANDU, Aug 20: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, currently on an official visit to India, has extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Nepal.

Foreign Minister Rana delivered the invitation on behalf of Prime Minister K P Oli during a courtesy meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on Monday evening. The meeting included a half-hour conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister Rana.

Prime Minister Oli plans to visit India only after welcoming the Indian Prime Minister to Nepal, breaking the past tradition of Nepali prime ministers visiting New Delhi first. Sources indicate that Foreign Minister Rana handed over the invitation as part of this plan by Prime Minister Oli.

In a statement, the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi said that discussions were held on further strengthening Nepal-India relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries during the meeting.

The Nepalese delegation included Nepal's Acting Ambassador to India, Surendra Thapa; Head of the South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bhrigu Dhungana; and Minister Counselor Draupada Sapkota, among others. Representing India were Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, the foreign ministers of both countries held bilateral talks that covered the full spectrum of the India-Nepal partnership. They reviewed progress on various bilateral initiatives and developmental projects, discussing opportunities for further collaboration in existing and new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Both sides acknowledged the sustained momentum in the implementation of India-assisted projects in Nepal, particularly in connectivity—whether physical, digital, or people-to-people. This progress is evident in infrastructure projects related to cross-border railways, roads, bridges, Integrated Check Posts, petroleum pipelines, and digital financial connectivity.

They also noted significant progress in the power sector, with Nepal now exporting nearly 1000 MW of electricity, providing Nepal with additional revenue and India with clean energy. The two ministers highlighted the unprecedented opportunities that would arise from implementing the Long-Term Power Trade Agreement.

Another area of emerging cooperation between the two nations is sports. The recent training provided to the Nepali cricket team at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru was also positively noted, according to a statement issued by the MEA.

Foreign Minister Rana’s official visit to India is scheduled from August 18 to 22 at the invitation of her Indian counterpart, Dr. S. Jaishankar.

 
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