‘Sometimes US competitors want to set a narrative that we force a choice and try to counter somebody else’s strategy.’

Defence Minister Pokhrel’s communication comes at a time when Kathmandu has been rejecting any role and engagement in the US-led comprehensive policy.

Prime Minister Oli wants to send senior leader Madhav Nepal to Delhi as his emissary, but no formal decision has been made yet.

Contesting polls for the first time as a unified party, the Nepal Communist Party should’ve won even more seats, but it failed to perform as expected, analysts say.

Shyam Saran, who served as India’s ambassador to Nepal, said Nepal has been uninterested in seriously pursuing negotiations.

Leaders from the Congress have criticised Deuba’s recent statement alleging that New Delhi published India’s new political map after consulting with KP Sharma Oli.

After cancelling a previous bids, the government will now either call for expressions of interest from foreign firms or an entirely new global tender.

The two sides will discuss ways to conduct the feasibility study for the railway lines on Chinese expenditure, officials say.

The government raided a restaurant this week, as part of its efforts to repatriate all North Koreans currently living and working in the country.

Ruling party leaders say that President Bhandari, who has played the role of a catalyst in developments, had her say in the reshuffle.

The prime minister, foreign minister and various former prime ministers have all made public statements regarding Kalapani but diplomatic measures have been sorely lacking, analysts say.

With Malaysia and Japan opening up to Nepali workers, the current stock of passports is likely to last only six months, officials say.

Under a draft amendment currently at the National Assembly, the department will be able to spy on all foreign countries, institutions or groups that are deemed detrimental to national security.

In what is set to be the biggest deal signed by the KP Sharma Oli administration, the French government will be providing a soft loan of 200 million euros.

At least eight sitting ministers and two provincial chief ministers are likely to be relieved of their current positions, party insiders say.