Nepal FM Arzu Rana Deuba to Visit Delhi Ahead of PM Oli’s Bodh Gaya Talks

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba will travel to India by the end of August to prepare for PM KP Sharma Oli’s visit to India in September. Officials say she will also go for a routine health check-up. But her visit is mainly about diplomacy. She is expected to meet Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and prepare for Oli’s first official trip to India since becoming PM in July last year.

This visit has an unusual element. India has decided to host Oli in Bodh Gaya instead of New Delhi. The site is where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. By choosing Bodh Gaya, India is bringing culture and spirituality into the centre of high-level talks. This move breaks tradition and shows a softer, more people-focused approach in India-Nepal relations.

Rana’s Delhi Meetings

During her trip, Rana is expected to work on the final details of the agenda. She will help plan a luncheon meeting between PM Narendra Modi and PM Oli. 

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The two leaders will also address the media together at the International Convention Centre in Bodh Gaya. Her talks with Jaishankar will focus on making sure the visit runs smoothly and that both sides are ready to take up important issues.

Why Bodh Gaya Matters?

India’s decision to shift the venue to Bodh Gaya carries symbolic weight. Millions of Buddhists around the world consider the city to be sacred. India is showcasing common religious and cultural customs by having Oli there.

It also shows India's readiness to use culture as a diplomatic tool and to disregard rigid political procedure. For Nepal, this is an opportunity to showcase its deep Buddhist links while also pushing for progress in areas like trade, energy, and connectivity.

Preparations Underway

The first official confirmation of Oli’s visit came during Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s trip to Nepal on August 17–18. Misri formally gave Modi’s invitation to Oli. In Kathmandu, he also met President Ramchandra Poudel, PM Oli, Foreign Minister Rana, and other senior leaders. 

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Vikram Misri held detailed talks with his Nepali counterpart, Amrit Bahadur Rai. The two sides reviewed progress on existing projects and looked at possible new areas of cooperation. The goal was to ensure Oli’s trip produces meaningful results.

From Symbolism to Action

The choice of Bodh Gaya gives the visit a strong symbolic image. But both governments know that religious and cultural gestures alone cannot address pending issues. Big challenges remain in trade, cross-border connectivity, and energy cooperation. Expectations are also high in people-to-people exchanges and cultural projects. 

Oli’s visit will be a test of how both leaders can mix soft diplomacy with real policy action. Rana’s visit to Delhi is the first step in making sure that September’s talks do not stop at symbolism but bring practical outcomes.

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