Unlike widely expected, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far not been scheduled during his China visit beginning from Saturday.

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Friday ahead of his planned China visit, the prime minister gave details of his bilateral engagements during the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its sidelines where he is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin among other leaders from various countries.

But he didn’t mention about the meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi, about which people were particularly curious, in the wake of the recent India-China agreement on reopening a trade route through the Lipulek pass.

The prime minister also did not mention whether he would take up the ongoing controversy over Lipulek pass during his China meetings.

Just two days ago, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithivi Subba Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, had claimed that the prime minister would raise the recent India-China understanding with Indian and Chinese leaders during his China visit.

After the India-China agreement on Lipulek on August 18 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press statement on August 20 and reaffirmed that the official map of Nepal, as incorporated in the Constitution of Nepal, includes Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani—located east of the Mahakali River—as integral parts of Nepali territory.

On the same day, the External Affairs Ministry of India issued the statement and asserted that border trade between India and China through Lipulek pass had commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades. This trade had been disrupted in recent years due to Covid and other developments, and both sides have now agreed to resume it, it said.

The main objective of his China visit is to participate in the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which is being held in the city of Tianjin, the prime minister told the House.

Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has now developed into one of the world's largest regional organizations. Its full member states include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus and Afghanistan and Mongolia are observer states, said Oli. Along with Nepal, countries such as Turkey, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Maldives, Myanmar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates are dialogue partners of the SCO, he added.

“Nepal has been a dialogue partner of the organisation since 2016. Our goal is to enhance Nepal’s level of participation in the organisation, clearly present Nepal’s perspectives and priorities on contemporary regional and international matters, and promote Nepal’s national interests by gaining maximum benefit from the engagement,” said the prime minister.

Informing on his meetings with leaders attending the SOC summit, the prime minister said that he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi, Chinese vice president Han Zheng and will attend separate state banquets hosted by both the president and vice president of China.

On September 1, Oli and Nepali delegation will participate in the SCO Plus Summit to be held in Tianjin, where he is scheduled to deliver an address.

“During the SCO summit, I will have bilateral meetings with the heads of states and governments of various friendly nations. These meetings will focus on bilateral relations and other priority matters between Nepal and those countries. After the summit in Tianjin, I am scheduled to return to Beijing on the same day,” said the prime minister.

According to Oli, so far, bilateral meetings have been confirmed with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation; Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives; Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Phạm Minh Chính, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

As the final event of the visit, the Nepal delegation will participate alongside world leaders in the 80th anniversary celebration in Beijing on September 3 commemorating the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the global war against fascism.

According to the Chinese government, more than 50 countries are expected to participate in these events, added Oli.

“I believe this visit will further strengthen the friendly bilateral relationship between Nepal and China, and that my participation in the SCO Summit will help project Nepal’s views and priorities on contemporary global issues, thereby enhancing the country’s image and prestige,” said Oli.

The prime minister’s delegation includes his spouse Radhika Shakya; former deputy prime minister and Member of Parliament Purna Bahadur Khadka; Minister for Education, Science and Technology Raghujī Pant; Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey; former Minister and Economic and Development Advisor to the Prime Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada; former minister and Member of Parliament Chhabilal Bishwakarma; along with senior officials of the government of Nepal.