Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to head for New Delhi on Friday leading a 60-member delegation.

The delegation also includes leaders from the opposition parties.

Over 50 officials, including ministers, secretaries and representatives from various political parties, will be accompanying Oli in his maiden foreign visit after he became the prime minister in October. A group of businessmen will also be part of the PM’s delegation.

In a bid to make the visit less controversial and more focused on mending ties, PM Oli has asked his office to include even opposition politicians, officials said.

Nepali Congress leader and former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Sujata Koirala is set to travel with PM Oli to New Delhi.

Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel said the visit will focus on deepening ties with India while seeking joint development projects. On political front, PM Oli will seek India’s support for the new constitution, an aide to PM Oli said.

 “We don’t think there is coherence in India’s position on the new constitution, so the prime minister will discuss all political issues with India,” said PM Oli’s chief political adviser Bishnu Rimal. The Nepali side has already proposed a list of projects with Indian side for consideration. “These projects could be discussed with India for mutual benefit,” said Poudel who recently visited New Delhi to set the stage for PM Oli’s trip.

Finance Minister Poudel also said that implementation of Pancheshwor Multi-Purpose Project, trade and transit facilities, utilisation of India-pledged $1 billion for Nepal’s reconstruction bid and completion of India-funded Postal Road (Hulaki Sadak) in the southern plains in five years are some key issues which will be discussed as joint cooperation model during the visit.

Implementation of past accords will also be the key focus of the visit.

PM Oli on Monday invited Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa for dinner, reportedly to discuss his India visit.

PM to address House today

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will address the House on Tuesday to inform about his six-day visit to India beginning Friday.

During his address, PM Oli is also likely to seek suggestions from lawmakers on issues to be discussed during his meetings in India.

“The PM on Tuesday will address Parliament to inform about the agendas that he will be discussing in India,” said Bishnu Rimal, chief political adviser to PM Oli. “This will be the first time a prime minister will be informing the House before a foreign trip,” he said.