Kathmandu - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that the date of Prime Minister Balen Shah's visit to India has not yet been fixed, even as preparations for the trip continue. Speaking at a press conference organised by the ministry, spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel said necessary preparations are underway for the visit to take place at a time convenient to both sides. He added that the date of the visit has not been finalised so far.

Ministry says date not finalised

The update came at the press conference organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where spokesperson Poudel addressed questions about the status of the prime minister's planned trip to India. According to Nepal Press, Poudel told journalists that the date of the visit has not been fixed. His remarks represent the latest official word on a trip that has drawn attention across Nepali media, with Nagarik News and Global Aawaj also reporting the ministry's statement.

Poudel's comments carried two clear messages. First, the government is actively preparing for the engagement, with the spokesperson stating that necessary preparations are underway. Second, the timing is not yet settled, as the visit will take place only when it is convenient for both sides, and until such a time is agreed, no date should be treated as final.

Key points from Friday's briefing

  • The date of Prime Minister Balen Shah's visit to India has not been fixed.
  • Necessary preparations are underway for the visit, according to the ministry.
  • The visit will take place at a time convenient to both sides.
  • No tentative dates or timeframe for the trip were announced at the press conference.

Preparations underway, timing awaits mutual agreement

According to the spokesperson, work on the visit is progressing, but the question of exactly when Prime Minister Shah will travel to India will be settled through mutual understanding. The phrase "at a time convenient to both sides", used by Poudel at the briefing, points to a scheduling process that involves consultation rather than a date set by one side alone.

Beyond confirming that preparations are ongoing, the spokesperson did not announce any tentative window for the visit. The ministry's position, as stated at the press conference, is that the trip remains on the agenda and that the date will be finalised when both countries find the timing suitable.

Why the timing is closely watched

Dates for leaders-level visits between Nepal and India are traditionally settled through diplomatic consultation, and such trips are among the most closely followed engagements between the two neighbours. A prime minister's visit is generally a major occasion in bilateral relations, and announcements about travel dates are typically made only once both governments have agreed on the schedule. Against that backdrop, the ministry's message on Friday was straightforward: the visit is being prepared, but the question of when it will happen remains open until a mutually convenient time is found.

Interest in the schedule has been reflected in coverage across Nepali media, with multiple outlets reporting the ministry's briefing and the spokesperson's remarks on the same day. The repeated emphasis from the ministry that preparations are underway suggests the visit remains firmly in the planning stage rather than being shelved.

For now, the official position stands as Poudel outlined it at the press conference: the visit is being prepared, the date is not fixed, and the trip will take place at a time convenient to both sides. Any confirmation of dates is expected to be communicated through official channels once the two governments settle on a schedule.