Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane is preparing to visit China in the last week of August, according to high-level sources. A five-member delegation led by Lamichhane is scheduled to travel to Beijing at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

A senior RSP leader said the party has requested the Chinese side to facilitate a meeting between Lamichhane and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit.

“Coordination is underway with the Chinese side to arrange a meeting with President Xi,” the leader said.

However, Lamichhane is currently scheduled to meet Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and officials from the International Department of the CPC, among others.

During his visit to India in the first week of June, Lamichhane met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and BJP President Nitin Nabin.

The RSP is now seeking a meeting with Xi, citing the party’s strong mandate in recent elections and Lamichhane’s meetings with top Indian leaders, said an RSP leader.

Initially, Lamichhane was scheduled to visit Beijing in the third week of July, but the trip was postponed after a meeting with Xi could not be confirmed and due to other domestic issues, party leaders said.

The two sides have been discussing the visit since June. Lamichhane received the invitation before travelling to India, but given Nepal’s relations with India and his own interest, he decided to visit New Delhi first.

Another party leader said Lamichhane wants to secure a meeting with China’s top leadership, similar to the one he held during his India visit.

“As he met Indian Prime Minister Modi during his visit to India, he wants to have a meeting with China’s executive head,” the leader said.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has already visited both neighbouring countries and assured them that the new government is committed to strengthening ties with both. He said Nepal wants to pursue ‘development diplomacy’ while advancing relations with its neighbours and remaining mindful of their security interests.