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Kathmandu : Nepal’s Finance Minister, Swarnim Wagle, announced on Thursday that Prime Minister Balen Shah will undertake his first foreign visit to India after assuming office. Although Wagle did not specify a date, he indicated that if everything proceeds according to plan, Shah could visit India before the end of this year.
Speaking at a TV channel event in Kathmandu, Wagle stated that while the dates for the visit are currently under consideration, there is no doubt regarding the destination, and the government expects the visit to take place before the year ends.
During the event, Wagle also discussed in detail the goal of growing Nepal’s economy to $100 billion, the exchange rate between the Indian and Nepalese rupee, recent flood relief operations, and Prime Minister Balen Shah’s working style.
Wagle said, “After assuming office, Balen’s entire focus was on domestic issues. Our initial 100 days centered on a 100-point agenda, for which we have given ourselves a score of 87.2 percent.”
He added, “Subsequently, we began discussions regarding the Prime Minister’s foreign visits. I am fully confident that his first foreign visit will be to India. Although a decision on the dates is yet to be made, I expect the visit to happen before the end of this year.”
Ravi Shankar Prasad, an MP from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was present at the event, described the announcement as highly significant. He remarked, “The foundation of the relationship between Nepal and India is so strong that it cannot be confined by passports or borders.
If Wagle has clarified today that Prime Minister Balen Shah’s first foreign visit will be to India, it demonstrates the positive direction in which the relationship between the two nations will move in the future. This is truly a significant message.” It is noteworthy that the Balen Shah-led Rashtriya Swatantra Party achieved a massive victory in the general elections held in Nepal in March of this year. Following this, Balen Shah took the oath of office as Prime Minister on March 27, 2026.
Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt ( Political Editor )
