A day ahead of the Republic Day, the Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN – UML) Leader K. P. Sharma Oli wrote a letter to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his interests to work with the Indian Government. This letter is seen as an attempt to mend fences with India ahead of the Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Nepal tomorrow. Swaraj is visiting Nepal for consultations with the Nepalese Political Leadership. It is said Oli is also widely seen as Nepal’s next Prime Minister.
Oli, in the letter said, “As one of the recently elected people’s representatives and leader of the largest party in the Federal Parliament, I am eager to work together with Excellency and your Government for the betterment of our two countries.” He further added Nepal is learning from India’s Constitution in the process of implementing its new Constitution.
In 2016, Oli blamed India for toppling his Government. He further cancelled a visit by Nepal’s President to India and recalled the Nepalese Ambassador Deep Kumar Uphadhya ahead of his Government’s fall. These steps by Oli was seen as retaliatory actions against India.
Over the past one month, Modi spoke to Oli over the phone and assured him Nepal’s new Government will receive full support and cooperation from India. In response, Oli invited Modi to visit Nepal and make a trip to Lumbini and Muktinath (two popular pilgrimage destinations.)
Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha and Muktinath is a Hindu religious site. It is said Modi stayed for few months in Muktinath during his early days in politics.
