Preparations underway for PM Shah's visit to India: MoFA

Kathmandu, Oct. 9

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Friday that the date for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to India is yet to be finalised.

"The MoFA is making internal preparations for the Prime Minister’s high-level visit," Spokesperson of the Ministry Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri said at a press briefing, adding that the visit will take place at a time convenient to both sides, and the official announcement will be made once the date is finalised.

PM Shah's India visit has been an issue of discussion since he took the post of the head of government. Earlier, the MoFA had said that it was preparing discussion agenda for the bilateral cooperation between Nepal and India.

Likewise, Chhetri said that the government is coordinating with the Chinese government to reopen the Tatopani–Zhangmu and Lizi–Korala border points. Following the Bhotekoshi flood, the Rasuwagadhi border point has become inaccessible while Tatopani is intermittently disturbed by landslides, and Korala lacks necessary infrastructure at the Nepal side.

"Discussions were underway on bringing alternative border points into operation to prevent disruption to trade between Nepal and China. The government is taking steps to open Tatopani and other border points to maintain the smooth movement of people and trade between Nepal and China," he said.

Similarly, preparations were also underway for Nepal’s high-level participation in COP-31, scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November. Preparations for the second edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue are also being advanced.

Meanwhile, 18,749 people have so far used Nepal’s e-Attestation System, while 45,920 documents have been authenticated through the system. The ministry said more than 100,000 users are using the ‘MOFA Mitra’ app, which was launched to register complaints from Nepalis stranded abroad or requiring rescue, as well as grievances related to insurance and compensation.

"As part of efforts to preserve Nepal’s historical heritage, more than 800 written documents dating from the 13th to the 20th centuries held in Germany have been handed over to Nepal," Chhetri informed.

The documents were handed to Nepal last week.

According to the MoFA, discussions were continuing with India on trade, transit, water resources and air routes. Nepal presented a proposal concerning the Bhotekoshi flood and climate change at the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and supported Bhutan’s proposed candidate for the post of the 16th Secretary-General of SAARC.

In addition, the ministry has launched an Instagram account to disseminate diplomatic information and activities to the public.

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 10 October 2026.