Ravi Lamichhane’s India Visit Might Raise Questions on Policies of Balen Shah’s Government

National Independent Party chairman Ravi Lamichhane, who is set to visit India next week, is expected to receive a warm welcome in Delhi, according to Indian analysts. They have suggested that India may question Lamichhane regarding certain policies adopted by the government led by Balen Shah. Since the formation of the Shah-led government, Lamichhane is the first senior ruling party leader to be invited by New Delhi. Following the Gen G movement in Bhadra of last year, Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswa) secured nearly a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives elections.

Since Prime Minister Shah has limited diplomatic meetings and has not publicly expressed clear foreign policy stances, New Delhi is expected to seek further clarity about the new government’s policies from the ruling party leader, according to an Indian analyst. A Nepali expert also expects high-level talks in New Delhi but anticipates that Lamichhane will address the Indian side with caution.

This visit is being made at the invitation of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Upon arrival in Delhi, Party Chairman Lamichhane is scheduled to hold discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, and other officials. Raswa leaders have confirmed that two close associates of Lamichhane—Co-Deputy Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya and Secretariat member Deepak Raj Bohara—will accompany him on the visit.

Retired Indian Army General Ashok Mehta, a Raswa leader, is confident that Lamichhane will receive a warm reception in New Delhi and that the ruling party and senior officials will be willing to discuss all relevant matters. He stated, “If needed, discussions during the visit may also cover the Lipulekh issue, though there is a possibility that details on this will not be made public. Lamichhane is expected to return with a message that India will offer full support to the new government.”