Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is set to participate in three back-to-back high-level policy dialogues in New Delhi during his upcoming visit to India, engaging with senior Indian diplomats, business leaders and development policymakers.

At the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Nirmala Sitharaman, Wagle will visit India from Thursday to Saturday and meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Sitharaman and, most likely, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Speaking to the Post on Wednesday, Wagle said three high-level dialogues focusing on diplomacy, business and development policy had been scheduled during his visit.

“On Friday and Saturday, I will be engaging in three high-level policy dialogues in New Delhi—on diplomacy, business and development policy,” Wagle said. “Top Indian diplomats, members of the business community and policymakers involved in development issues will be present, where I will present Nepal’s perspectives.”

During his meetings with Jaishankar and Sitharaman, Wagle is expected to discuss various aspects of Nepal-India relations, including India’s support following the August 26 Bhotekoshi floods and possible assistance for post-disaster reconstruction, similar to the support extended after the 2015 earthquake.

Connectivity, trade, transit and business cooperation are also expected to feature in the discussions.

On Friday morning, Wagle will address a diplomatic roundtable organised by former Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran at the India International Centre. Saran is also a former Indian ambassador to Nepal.

Around 15 senior Indian diplomats, including former foreign secretary and national security adviser Shivshankar Menon, are expected to participate in the roundtable.

Apart from Nepal-India relations, the discussions will cover regional and global diplomatic architectures and other pressing regional and international issues.

On Saturday, Wagle will address a business roundtable hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry. The discussion will be led by Sanjiv Puri, chair and managing director of ITC, a major Indian conglomerate.

Senior Indian business leaders, chief executive officers and representatives of the Indian business community are expected to participate. Wagle will seek greater Indian investment in Nepal and brief participants on legislative changes introduced by the government to facilitate investment and business operations.

He will also address a development policy roundtable hosted by the Delhi School of Economics, moderated by Professor Ram Singh of the institution.

“These are three rare occasions when I am going to address different Indian policy-making communities,” Wagle said. “These three policy dialogues will definitely help us understand the new situation and the new government in Nepal.”

“We are not seeking a specific amount from India at this moment, but given the way India supported us during the 2015 earthquake, we expect a similar kind of generosity from them,” Wagle told the Post.

At the 2015 International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction, India pledged $1 billion for reconstruction, comprising a 25 percent grant and a 75 percent concessional loan.

The government has formed a committee to undertake a post-disaster needs assessment to determine the resources required for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Rasuwa and Nuwakot following the massive floods of August 26.

Once the assessment is completed, the government will either convene a donor conference or seek support individually from friendly countries, the donor community and charitable organisations for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The government also plans to use the assistance to build resilient infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi River and address future risks posed by climate change.

As a substantial portion of the concessional loan pledged by India in 2015 remains unused, Nepal wants to use the amount in the energy sector.

During his recent India visit, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal had proposed that India provide $500 million in grants and another $500 million in concessional loans for infrastructure development, particularly in the road and energy sectors.

“Following the floods in the Bhotekoshi river, the situation has changed, and the proposal submitted by Foreign Minister Khanal during his India visit will have to be reconsidered,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said. “In the changed context, the priority has shifted towards reconstruction and rebuilding.”