RSP chair Lamichhane heading to India amid uncertainty over PM Shah’s visit

Rabi Lamichhane, the influential leader of Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is undertaking a three-day official visit to New Delhi, accepting an invitation from the Indian government. Scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and other high-ranking officials, Lamichhane's visit takes place against a backdrop of recent friction between Nepal and India.

The trip comes shortly after the postponement of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Kathmandu and amidst a dispute over the Lipulekh border region. India has also expressed concerns regarding Nepal's imposition of customs duties on low-value goods. Lamichhane's visit, though not officially announced by either government, is seen as an effort by India to maintain high-level engagement with Nepal's new leadership, particularly given the RSP's significant electoral success.

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The RSP is a relatively new party but emerged with a super-majority in recent elections. This has made New Delhi reach out to the RSP leadership and the government.

Sources in New Delhi suggest a potential meeting with Prime Minister Modi on June 2, offering an opportunity for mutual understanding in the evolving political landscape of Nepal. However, some observers note that Lamichhane's visit cannot substitute for an official visit from Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The Indian side reportedly views the engagement as a way to connect with the new Nepali leadership, emphasizing that it is separate from recent bilateral irritants.

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The visit was planned in order to maintain high-level contacts with new Nepali leadership. It has nothing to do with recent irritants in bilateral ties.