'Will visit India at appropriate time,' says Nepal PM Oli, denies rift with New Delhi
Oli's comment about his visit to India comes amid speculations by some sections of local media that he didn't receive any invitation from India for an official visit, indicating that his relations with India became sour.
"I will probably embark on a visit to India. My visit to India will take place after the two sides do necessary ground works," Oli said in an interview to a Nepalese Youtube channel Dishanirdesh TV late on Thursday.
It was in July last year that Oli, the chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) - popular as the CPN-UML - assumed the office of Prime Minister for the fourth time.
He had chosen to visit China for his maiden foreign visit, breaking the tradition of visiting India as the first destination after assuming the post of prime minister.
Oli also revealed that he had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Nepal.
"Prime Minister Modi will probably visit Nepal towards November," he said adding, "I have already sent the invitation to him."
"My India visit will take place at an appropriate time," he added.
Modi and Oli met on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4.
Oli also dismissed rumours that India doesn't like him. "India did nothing bad when I became the Prime Minister," he said.
In a different context, Oli pointed out, "We have very good relations with both India and China."
"India and China both are rising economic powers and it is good that our neighbours are moving in the path of development," he said, adding, Nepal may benefit from the spill over effect of their development.
"They (India and China) should focus attention on their development, but it is not good to be involved in cut-throat competition," Oli advised.
"There should be healthy competition between them. They should choose the path of cordial relations, but not a path that bears tension," he added.
Answering a question how it will affect Nepal if tension prevails between its northern and southern neighbours, Oli said, Nepal will also benefit if there are good relations between India and China.
"We can benefit from cooperation and collaboration with them and also we may benefit from their big market," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
PM Modi's Maldives visit, a turnaround in ties
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Maldives's 60th Independence Day celebration in capital Male on July 26, 2025, his presence will mark a major turnaround in ties between the neighbours — something that neither side might have foreseen 18 months ago. Also read: Ties in region back in focus with PM's visit to Maldives Although Mohamed Muizzu used the 'India out' plank — taking off on a campaign by former President Abdulla Yameen — for his successful presidential bid in September 2023, there was a notable thaw in the Maldives's India ties within months, seen in the meeting of the leaders of both countries, on the sidelines of the UN COP 28 climate summit in Dubai in December 2023, where they agreed to bolster economic partnership and people-to-people ties. Downs and ups However, early 2024 saw a rapid decline in the relationship again, with junior Maldivian ministers making derogatory remarks against PM Modi, in connection with his Lakshadweep visit, and a shrill, apparently well-coordinated 'Boycott Maldives' campaign that dominated Indian social media soon after, threatening the country's tourism-reliant economy. Returning from a five-day visit to China in January 2024, President Muizzu told local media that the Maldives may be a small island nation, but that does not allow others to 'bully' the country and that the Maldives 'is not in anyone's backyard'. In March 2024, Mr. Muizzu said no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present in his country after May 10, 2024. By early May last year, India fully pulled out its troops from the Maldives, meeting the deadline set by President Muizzu, with a compromise of replacing them with technical personnel. Economic support Subsequently, ties saw an improvement, paving way for President Muizzu's state visit to India in October 2024, even as the island nation was struggling with its debt burden and widening fiscal deficit that some feared might push it towards default. After the two leaders met in New Delhi, India signed a crucial currency swap agreement — available until 2027 — with the Maldives for $750 million, to help the island nation tide over its current foreign currency crunch. The two countries also agreed on a 'vision statement' for a 'comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership' going forward. In May 2025, India rolled over a $50 million-treasury bill to support the country bolster its reserves and stabilise its economy. Today, Indian flags have been put up across Male, sources based in the capital city told The Hindu on Thursday, to welcome the Indian PM, scheduled to arrive Friday [July 25, 2025] morning from the United Kingdom, amid considerable social media criticism of the Maldivian government from detractors. Mr. Modi is the first Head of State to visit the Maldives since President Muizzu assumed office in November 2023. 'Hard work' 'It's a question of working hard at a relationship,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, in a special media briefing on July 22, 2025, referring to the positive shift India-Maldives ties. Observing that 'there will always be events that will impact or try to intrude on the relationship', he pointed to the 'kind of attention' that has been paid to the relationship and including at the highest levels. 'We have continued to work at it …we have also been in very close discussions with our partners in the Maldives to provide clarity and assurances about what it is that we want to do bilaterally, and I think the result is there for all to see,' he told reporters in New Delhi. Describing the joint vision for an 'India-Maldives comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership' as the 'guiding framework' for bilateral ties, Mr. Misri said New Delhi has seen nearly half a dozen ministerial-level visits from the Maldives in the first six months of this year. During Mr. Modi's visit a set of agreements across sectors is expected. The two sides are likely to agree on the terms of reference for the Free Trade Agreement that is currently under negotiation. Further, agreements in new areas of cooperation, including renewable energy, fisheries, digital infrastructure are to be firmed up. Prior to Mr. Modi, former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif participated as Guests of Honour in the Maldives's Independence Day events in 2015 and 2017 respectively.
United News of India
35 minutes ago
- United News of India
Trinamool welcomes stay order on eviction of Bengali-speaking people from Delhi colony
Kolkata, July 24 (UNI) West Bengal ruling Trinamool Congress today welcomed the Patiala House Court's stay order on eviction of Bengali-speaking people from Delhi's Jai Hind Colony, saying it was a significant step forward for the ongoing fight for justice. "The eviction of Bengalis in Jai Hind Colony of Delhi's Vasant Kunj has been stayed by the Patiala House Court, marking a significant step forward in our ongoing fight for justice," TMC said in a statement. "This is a direct and decisive response to the continued targeting of Bengali-speaking citizens by the Modi-led government," the All India Trinamool Congress said in a statement. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently accused the BJP of unleashing 'linguistic terrorism' on Bengalis, asserting that the fight for identity and language would continue until the saffron party is defeated. She said the Bengali-speaking people have been harassed in the name of identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in different parts of India, particularly in the BJP-led NDA-ruled states. " Under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, we reaffirm our stand: every Bengali will be protected, and every act of injustice will be resisted. This is just the beginning. Our fight for dignity, recognition, and justice for Bengali-speaking Indians will continue with full force. Joy Bangla!" the TMC statement said after the Delhi court stayed eviction of people from Jai Hind Colony today. The TMC also said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar was a sinister attempt to disenfranchise millions, especially the poor and vulnerable people of the country. "This is NRC by stealth, a back door citizenship verification drive masquerading as voter list update. With the ECI acting as a willing enabler, the BJP is plotting to redraw the voter base in its favour," the TMC alleged. "We will oppose every attempt to undermine democracy and strip rightful Indian citizens of their voice and vote. The cornerstone of any functioning democracy is the conduct of free and fair elections," the party said. UNI PC PRS
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Modi, Muizzu & masala: How Maldives went from 'India Out' to strategic warmth
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the Maldives on Friday for a state visit, he will be greeted not as an outsider, but as the Guest of Honour at the island nation's 60th Independence Day celebrations. Just two years ago, such a scenario would have seemed unlikely. Today, it marks a dramatic shift in bilateral equations, underscoring the quiet resilience of India's strategic diplomacy. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Product Management MBA others Others Technology Cybersecurity Data Science Degree Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Healthcare Project Management Public Policy Data Analytics Data Science Finance Management Leadership CXO Design Thinking MCA Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details "Patience has its benefits; it helps if you don't give in to the compulsion and expectation to retaliate against each provocation," a senior source told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo From 'India Out' to strategic warmth President Mohamed Muizzu swept to power in 2023 on the back of an 'India Out' campaign, signalling what many feared would be a souring of ties. His ministers had publicly criticised India and even targeted PM Modi in a bid to play to nationalist sentiments. The defeat of pro-India President Ibrahim Solih further intensified concerns that Maldives—historically a close ally—was pivoting away from New Delhi. Live Events But instead of reacting to provocation, India chose a policy of 'strategic restraint.' PM Modi was the first world leader to congratulate Muizzu on his election win. And now, just months later, Muizzu is rolling out the red carpet for Modi's visit—a clear sign that political rhetoric has yielded to diplomatic pragmatism. Diplomacy backed by development India's consistent and quiet support to Maldives during economic distress laid the groundwork for this diplomatic turnaround. In 2024, New Delhi extended a $400 million emergency financial package and a Rs 3,000 crore currency swap to stabilize the Maldivian economy. Investments totalling over $450 million are already underway in infrastructure, trade, education, water and sanitation. Muizzu himself acknowledged India's role during his India visit in November, stating: 'India is a key partner in the socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Maldives, and has stood by the Maldives during our times of need.' Among the flagship projects is the Greater Male Connectivity Project , a transformative infrastructure venture linking several islands and boosting economic mobility. Masala diplomacy meets maritime security But this visit isn't just symbolic—it's strategically significant. According to report by ET, Maldives and India are expected to deepen defence and maritime cooperation, particularly in combating drug trafficking across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. President Muizzu has declared the drug menace a national priority, and India is likely to offer greater support through naval collaboration and intelligence sharing. Maldives is already a member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)—a regional initiative led by India to tackle maritime safety, terrorism, cyber threats, and disaster relief. The CSC has evolved into a crucial platform for multilateral cooperation, with Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Maldives as core members, and Seychelles and Bangladesh as observers. Trade talks, treasury bills, & economic integration As part of the ongoing economic engagement, India and Maldives are in talks for a Free Trade Agreement and a broader investment pact, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed earlier this week. He also noted India's sustained subscription to Maldivian treasury bills through the State Bank of India , underlining the financial umbilical cord that links the two nations. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are likely to be signed during the prime minister's visit on Friday, covering areas from infrastructure to capacity building. These deals aim to accelerate regional integration and fortify economic stability in the archipelago. A visit rich in symbolism and strategy This will be PM Modi's third state visit to the Maldives—but the first since Muizzu took office. It comes not just as a bilateral gesture but as a regional statement of India's enduring influence, even amid political fluctuations. The timing couldn't be more symbolic—commemorating both 60 years of Maldivian independence and six decades of diplomatic ties with India. By inviting Modi as Guest of Honour, Male has sent a clear signal: despite the turbulence of recent years, India remains a trusted partner in Maldives' journey ahead
