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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Rabi Lamichhane's New Delhi reception surprises observers

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane received a high-profile welcome in New Delhi, surprising many in Nepal.
  • The reception, which included a tour of the ruling BJP headquarters, occurred despite recent diplomatic friction between Nepal and India.
  • Analysts suggest India's engagement signals a desire to work closely with Nepal's new government and chart a new course in bilateral ties.

Rabi Lamichhane, chair of Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has received a surprisingly high-profile welcome during his five-day visit to New Delhi, a reception that has taken many in Nepal by surprise. His visit concludes Friday, with a stop in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram.

Be it the Maoists after the Constituent Assembly elections or later in 2018 when the Nepal Communist Party emerged as the most powerful party from a merger of the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre), India was quick to engage with them.

— Nepali diplomatDescribing India's usual approach to engaging with new Nepali leadership after major political changes.

Following the formation of a powerful government in Kathmandu in March, New Delhi has welcomed Lamichhane, according to reports, according him honors typically reserved for a visiting prime minister. This warm reception comes amid recent diplomatic complexities. Just weeks ago, Prime Minister Balendra Shah reportedly refused to meet Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, citing protocol concerns. Earlier this week, Shah's parliamentary remarks on Nepal's border dispute with India also sparked controversy in both nations.

Despite this backdrop, Lamichhane was greeted with a floral shower upon entering the Bharatiya Janata Party's headquarters on Tuesday. He was received by BJP National President Nitin Nabin and other senior party officials. A Nepali diplomat familiar with Delhi-Kathmandu relations noted that India typically engages with new Nepali leadership following major political shifts, citing past instances with Maoist and communist parties. This engagement, the diplomat explained, is a standard approach to maintain ties.

He is only a ruling party president, not the prime minister of Nepal. But breaking all types of stereotypes and protocols, the way the government also accorded him high respect, that is something rare and very surprising.

— Indian journalistCommenting on the unusual level of respect shown to Rabi Lamichhane by the Indian government and BJP.

An Indian journalist covering the event described the welcome as rare for a foreign leader at the BJP headquarters. The journalist also highlighted the unusual level of respect shown by the Indian government, given Lamichhane's position as a party president rather than prime minister. "This shows the BJP and the Indian government want to work closely with the new powerful government in Nepal and chart a new course in bilateral ties," the journalist remarked, suggesting India's actions signal a strategic interest in strengthening bilateral relations.

This shows the BJP and the Indian government want to work closely with the new powerful government in Nepal and chart a new course in bilateral ties.

— Indian journalistInterpreting the significance of the welcome accorded to Lamichhane.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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