PM Shah's India visit fixed for Mangsir 7, energy agenda to be prioritised

Preparations have begun for Prime Minister Balendra Shah's official visit to India on Mangsir 7.

Sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say the prime minister will reach New Delhi that day, though neither government has yet formally announced the dates and programme. Indian media have reported that the visit will take place from Mangsir 7 to 9.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, who is in India for BIMSTEC's first home ministers' level meeting, discussed the visit with his Indian counterpart Amit Shah. The two ministers met after the meeting concluded on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Energy said energy sector issues will be raised as a priority during the visit. According to the ministry, serious talks with India are expected on the West Seti and Seti River-6 hydropower projects, both of which involve India's state-owned NHPC. Expanding the scope of cross-border electricity trade is also on the agenda.

The Ministry of Energy is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office to prepare the visit's framework. The government has also brought preparations to allow the private sector to trade electricity to a final stage. The ministry said tariff changes are also planned to boost domestic consumption of electricity that goes to waste during the monsoon.