PM asks lawmakers to advance Nepal’s interest in China ties

The parallel engagements come at a politically significant moment for Shah, who is preparing for his first official bilateral visit abroad since assuming office in March. While he is scheduled to travel to New Delhi on November 22, a high-level delegation of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is leaving for Beijing on Sunday for nearly two weeks of political and diplomatic engagement.

The timing of the two visits has drawn attention to Nepal’s traditional geopolitical challenge: maintaining close relations with India and China without becoming entangled in their competing strategic interests. Before their departure, Shah met the lawmakers at Singha Durbar on Friday and urged them to put Nepal’s national interests at the centre of their discussions with Chinese officials.

The delegation, led by RSP general secretary and lawmaker Bipin Acharya, was advised to discuss the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese-funded projects, tourism, economic cooperation, and the implementation of past bilateral agreements.