Aiming to reset ties with the southern neighbour, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is embarking on Friday on a three-day state visit to India, where he is expected to sign at least three agreements.

As of Thursday, three pacts related to agriculture research and development and education and training, exploring the possibility of inland water navigation up to Indian ports from Nepal as an alternative to connectivity, and expansion of the Indian rail up to Kathmandu have been agreed between the two sides.

According to officials, the existing trade and transit treaty between the two countries needs revision to realise the waterway plan.

Other issues that the PM will take up in New Delhi are early execution of the India-funded projects in Nepal, implementation of the Mahakali Treaty, laying the Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline, and clearance of pending line of credit for earthquake reconstruction. The issue of defence purchases, Tarai roads, trade deficit with India, additional four air routes with India, construction of integrated check posts on Nepal-India border, and exchange of banned Indian currency notes are also on the agenda of delegation-level talks.

Officials said issues like cooperation in power and energy sectors, cross-border connectivity, construction of transmission lines, compensation for Nepalis affected by the Koshi and Gandak rivers, inundation and flood control, and energy banking will also figure in official talks.

In a statement on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said Oli will be accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya. He will stay at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the Indian capital as the state guest.

The entourage includes Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Yadav, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Rimal, members of Parliament, chief secretary, secretaries and other high-level government officials.

After landing in Delhi on Friday, PM Oli will interact with business community members. This will be followed by an interaction with the Nepali community in the Indian capital. In the evening, the prime minister will attend the reception hosted by the Nepali embassy.

On Saturday, the PM will attend a ceremonial reception and receive the guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will then separately call on Ram Nath Kovind, the president of India, and M Venkaiah Naidu, the Vice President. He will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

On the same day, PM Oli will hold official meetings with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Modi will host a banquet luncheon in honour of the Nepali delegation. The external affairs minister, the finance minister and the home minister of India are scheduled to call on Prime Minister Oli. Top Indian politicians will also call on the visiting premier.

Both the prime ministers will remotely inaugurate the Arun III hydroelectricity project in Sankhuwasabha and Integrated Check Post at Birgunj. Oli will then interact with intellectuals at a civic reception organised by the India Foundation.

On Sunday, he will be conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science at the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. He will return home the same evening.

Oli’s Engagements in delhi

Friday

• Reaches New Delhi

• Luncheon meeting with Nepali and Indian business delegations

• Interaction with the Nepali community

• Meetings with political leaders

• Reception by Nepali Embassy

Saturday

• Guard of Honour at the President’s Office

• Welcome by PM Modi

• Visit to Rajghat

• Call on President, VP of India

• Separate meetings with Indian ministers Sushma Swaraj, Raj Nath Singh and Arun Jaitley

• Meeting with Modi at Hyderabad House

• Delegation-level talks

• Witness signing of understandings reached between two sides

• Remote laying of foundation for Arun III project and joint inauguration of the Integrated Check Post at Birgunj

• Civic reception at India Foundation where Oli speaks on Nepal-India relations and Nepal’s foreign policy

Sunday

• Leaves for GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to receive Honorary Doctor of Science Degree

• Return home the same evening

On the agenda

• Agreements on agriculture research and development and education and training

• Exploring the possibility of inland water navigation up to Indian ports from Nepal as an alternative to connectivity

• Expansion of the Indian railway up to Kathmandu

• Early execution of India-funded projects in Nepal

• Implementation of the Mahakali Treaty

• Clearance of pending line of credit for earthquake reconstruction

• Defence purchases

• Additional four air routes with India

• Exchange of banned Indian currency notes

• Compensation for Nepalis affected by the Koshi and Gandak rivers

• Inundation and flood control

• Energy banking