India is all set to accord the highest honour to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during his visit to the southern neighbour starting on February 19.

“During the visit, PM Oli and some of his delegation members, unlike in the past, will be accommodated at the Office of the President of India,” said Nepal’s Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay, adding that PM Oli is set to receive an unprecedented welcome this time in India.

PM Oli and 10 members of his delegation will be accommodated at the Office of the President of India and the rest will be accommodated in a five-star hotel in the Indian capital. Earlier Nepali prime ministers visiting India used to be accommodated in five-star hotels.

PM Oli is set to leave for New Delhi on February 19 on a six-day official visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

A special initiative was taken by Indian President to accommodate PM Oli and his senior delegation members at his office, said Upadhyay. “India wants to show a special gesture to Nepal and wants to make Oli’s visit a historic one,” he added.

The Indian side is also preparing to host series of dinners and luncheons hosted by Indian President Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Modi.

According to Upadhyay, besides announcing some “moderate economic assistance package”, PM Oli will try to seek India’s acceptance to the recently promulgated constitution and support for its implementation. India has publicly expressed displeasure over some of the intricacies of the new constitution and urged Nepali leaders to make a broad based consensus to accommodate the disgruntled voices and concerns.

PM Oli is scheduled to meet Modi at 7, Race Course Road on February 20. “He will also call on the President and Vice President of India. He will meet ministers of the government of India as well as leaders of various political parties,” said Upadhyay.

PM Oli is also scheduled to interact with the business community and address the Indian Council of World Affairs in New Delhi.

Preparations in New Delhi are indications that India wants to come in a big way to help Nepal, and if all demands forwarded by the agitating Samukyta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha are addressed, a rousing welcome is waiting for PM Oli in New Delhi, said a senior foreign ministry official.