The government has started preparations to finalise the agenda of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s New Delhi visit believed to take place in the third week of February.

The High-level Political Committee headed by UCPN (Maoist) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal will meet on Sunday morning to review the political situation since the first constitution amendment and the issues to be taken up with India during PM Oli’s visit.

According to PM’s Press Advisor Pramod Dahal, the meeting of the top leaders of the ruling parties will also discuss the Birgunj border blockade. Oli has already instructed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal Thapa and Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi to discuss with the ministries concerned and experts to finalise the agenda.

PM Oli wants cooperation from the bordering Indian states for lifting the supply restrictions via the Raxaul-Birgunj border point before he leaves for the Indian capital. Based on discussions among the ruling and opposition parties, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, who is scheduled to visit India on February 7-9 at the invitation of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, is supposed to float tentative agenda of the visit.

The Nepali side, in consultation with the Indian side, has proposed February 19-23 as the date for the PM’s visit. The date will be announced after Poudel returns.