The Nepali side in consultations with its Indian counterpart has proposed the date for the visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to India from February 19 to 23.

This is the tentative date we have for PM Oli’s visit to India and we have already started homework in this regard, said PM Oli’s Foreign Relation Expert Gopal Khanal.

Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel is visiting India on February 7-9 at the invitation of the External Affairs Ministry of India to set the stage for PM Oli’s visit. During his stay in New Delhi, Poudel will be meeting his Indian counterpart Arun Jaitely, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other officials, said Khanal.

The date for PM Oli’s India visit will be announced after Poudel’s return.

Ahead of PM Oli’s visit, the Indian side wanted to discuss some political and other issues with a senior minister from the Oli Cabinet, so the prime minister decided to send Poudel to India, according to sources.

After his India visit, PM Oli will embark on a visit to China.