Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is expected to travel to India around November 22 for his first bilateral foreign visit since taking office in March, with diplomatic preparations gaining momentum in both countries. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Kathmandu on November 4, while India's newly appointed ambassador to Nepal, Sudhakar Dalela, is expected to arrive a day earlier.
The proposed visit, which has not yet been formally announced, is expected to provide an opportunity for New Delhi and Kathmandu to rebuild diplomatic engagement and strengthen economic cooperation following months of differences between the neighbours.
Shah, a rapper-turned-politician known for his unconventional style of functioning, has largely avoided overseas travel since becoming prime minister on March 27. His only multilateral foreign visit so far was to New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
Diplomatic engagement gains momentum
Misri's November 4 visit is expected to focus on finalising the agenda for Shah's proposed India trip and reviewing the overall state of bilateral relations through meetings with senior Nepalese officials. The foreign secretary's visit will follow Dalela's arrival in Kathmandu to assume charge as India's new ambassador.
India had initially planned to send Misri to Nepal in May to engage with the newly formed government led by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). However, the proposed visit was postponed, reportedly after Shah did not agree to a meeting with the Indian foreign secretary.
Diplomatic engagement subsequently picked up pace through a series of visits by Nepalese leaders to India. In early June, RSP leader Rabi Lamichhane travelled to India, becoming the first senior politician from Nepal to visit the country after the change of government in Kathmandu. Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also visited India during the same period.
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and Home Minister Sudan Gurung have also travelled to India in recent months. Wagle's visit included discussions with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on strengthening economic, energy and connectivity cooperation.
Khanal had earlier indicated that the new Nepalese government wanted to take bilateral relations away from geopolitical differences and focus instead on development diplomacy. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said the partnership should not remain constrained by historical anxieties but should be guided by the possibilities of a shared future.
Trade, energy and connectivity among key priorities
With the RSP government calling for a reset in relations with India, the proposed visit is expected to place considerable emphasis on economic cooperation and development initiatives.
The discussions are likely to cover bilateral trade and investment, air and land connectivity, digital infrastructure, border security and management, employment opportunities, educational cooperation and the implementation of existing agreements.
Energy cooperation, particularly hydropower development and cross-border electricity infrastructure, is also expected to feature prominently. Nepal is seeking greater Indian investment as it pursues its ambition of generating 35,000 MW of clean energy over the next nine years.
Kathmandu is also keen to strengthen investment in sectors such as green manufacturing, tourism and high-value agriculture. Discussions have additionally included the possibility of updating the bilateral trade treaty to address services, investment protection, profit repatriation and the movement of components.
India remains Nepal's largest trading and investment partner. Bilateral trade in goods stood at approximately $9.38 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, accounting for more than 60% of Nepal's total external goods trade.
Border disagreements remain a sensitive issue
The proposed diplomatic reset comes against the backdrop of disagreements over the disputed border regions of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani, which Nepal has long claimed.
Tensions escalated after Shah made remarks that appeared to suggest a possible role for China and the United Kingdom in resolving the dispute. India rejected the involvement of third parties, maintaining that the matter should be addressed bilaterally.
During his India visit, Khanal indicated that Nepal preferred to resolve border disagreements through existing bilateral mechanisms rather than involving external parties.
The issue is likely to remain an important consideration as the two governments work towards improving relations and establishing a framework for cooperation on other areas of mutual interest.
Flood reconstruction and development projects on agenda
Beyond diplomatic and economic discussions, Shah's visit could also lead to progress on several India-backed development projects in Nepal. The two sides are expected to explore ways to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure initiatives that have remained pending or progressed slowly.
Nepal is also likely to seek additional Indian financial assistance for its economy, including support for reconstruction following the devastating flash floods earlier this year.
Kathmandu is particularly keen on securing fresh investment in hydropower and speeding up infrastructure projects. The proposed visit could also see the announcement of new assistance and the advancement of projects supported by India.
The engagement is expected to provide Shah with an opportunity to interact with India's top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while giving both countries a chance to establish a more constructive direction for their bilateral partnership.