KATHMANDU, Oct 22: Samant Kumar Goel, chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the external intelligence agency of India, called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday evening.
Issuing a press note through social media on Thursday afternoon, PM Oli’s press aide Surya Thapa confirmed that Goel paid a courtesy call on Oli at the latter’s official residence at Baluwatar in the capital.
“During the meet, he [Goel] expressed his views on strengthening Nepal-India ties, resolving the issues through talks and continuing mutual cooperation,” Thapa said.
India's RAW chief Samant Kumar Goel arrives in Nepal
A nine-member delegation led by India's RAW chief landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport on an Indian Air Force aircraft at 12:45 PM, according to a source.
This is the second Nepal visit by the chief of the Indian intelligence agency after his appointment in June last year. Goel had paid a three-day visit to Nepal on July 20, 2019.
The 'surprise visit' by the head of the Indian intelligence agency has taken place a couple of weeks ahead of Indian Army Chief MM Naravane's upcoming visit to Nepal.
According to Nepal Army headquarters, the Indian Army chief is visiting Nepal in November. However, the Army headquarters has not made public any specific dates for the visit yet.
