Nepal's newly elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' may make his first state visit to India instead of China.

Dahal, who chose to make his first state visit to China instead of India during his first stint as premier in 2008, has already sent his special envoy and the country's Deputy Prime Minister Bimlendra Nidhi to lay groundwork for his Indian visit.

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"It is learnt that Prachanda will visit India ahead of China this time," Nepalese government sources told Indian news agency Press Trust of India (PTI). "Nidhi' visit is aimed at preparing ground for Prachanda's forthcoming visit to India. Nidhi is also expected to discuss the possible visit by President Pranab Mukherjee to Nepal and the proposed visit by Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari to India."

The Nepalese deputy prime minister, who began his India trip on Thursday, met Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and home affairs minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. "Indian foreign minister appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister Prachanda to send his Special Envoy to India," foreign ministry sources said.

Dahal has also sent another Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara to China in a bid to balance out the country's relations with both countries. Mahara met China's Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to China.

Nepal's prime ministers have usually toured India on their first state visit after assuming office. Dahal' predecessor Khadga Prasad Oli Sharma also chose India as his first foreign destination as prime minister.

Engaging the new Government in Nepal. Special Envoy and Deputy PM Bimalendra Nidhi calls on PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/4EbMqGaT6R

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) August 20, 2016

 

Tagschina, Nepal, India, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Narendra Modi, Prachanda