After months of “will he and when will he”, Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Oli is finally making his first foreign trip after taking over the charge to India, as is traditionally done. Oli's visit will be from February 19 to 24, and will cover a range of talks from development, economy to the political situation in Nepal.
It may be recalled that Nepal's new Constitution, which the Madhesis of the Himalayan nation's Terai belt feel doesn't give them proper representation, became an issue of political tension between India and Nepal.
The Madhesis have familial ties with India, and India had sent foreign secretary S. Jaishankar to express India's views on the Constitution, a move that irked the Nepali government. In fact, there was much speculation that Oli might make his first foreign visit to its other big neighbour, China, instead.
The recent amendments in the Constitution have smoothened the relationships. India has expressed its support for the direction in which the amendments were moving towards giving all people of Nepal equitable representation.
Recently, the blockade on the Raxaul Birganj border, the main transit point for goods movement from India to Nepal was opened up after months of protests by Madhesis.
