Sushma Swaraj to visit politically fluid Nepal on February 1-2

Swaraj will be the first senior Indian minister to visit Nepal after the conclusion of elections to local bodies, provincial assemblies and federal Parliament.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will undertake a two-day visit to Kathmandu on February 1-2 to hold discussions with political leaders of Nepal on issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced. 

"The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level political exchanges between India and Nepal, and reflects the expanding bilateral partnership and the importance that the two countries attach to further strengthening it across diverse sectors," the MEA said in a statement.

Stating that Swaraj's visit to the Himalayan nation would focus on discussions with political leaders of Nepal on issues of mutual interest, MEA added, "The upcoming visit will also provide an opportunity to advance age-old, special ties of friendship between India and Nepal."

Swaraj's visit comes ahead of the formation of a new government by a Communist alliance which is expected to be headed by CPN-UML chief and former prime minister K P Oli. 

Swaraj will be the first senior Indian minister to visit Nepal after the conclusion of elections to local bodies, provincial assemblies and federal Parliament. 

Oli, who fiercely opposed Constitution amendment in the past, said in Pokhara city on Friday that he was ready to amend the Constitution.

The CPN (Maoist Centre) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" became the second largest party by winning 36 seats in Parliament and 73 seats in provincial assembly under the first past the post (FPTP) category.

The Nepali Congress (NC), which was the largest party in the last election, managed to win 23 seats in Parliament and was elected in 45 provincial constituencies.

It became the third largest party this time.

Sushma Swaraj's upcoming visit also assumes significance as India is a major development partner for Nepal.