KATHMANDU: Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Foreign Affairs Department, held a meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba in Kathmandu today, shortly after arriving in the capital for a high-level political visit.

Chauthaiwale confirmed the meeting through a social media post, describing the engagement as “insightful” and focused on “several topics of mutual interest.”

The meeting reflects ongoing informal diplomatic engagements between the Indian ruling party and Nepal’s political leadership, even as official bilateral relations remain tepid.

Chauthaiwale, a key international outreach figure in India’s ruling party, landed in Kathmandu Wednesday morning and is on a multi-day visit to Nepal.

During his stay, he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ senior leaders of the ruling coalition, and leaders from the Madhesh-based Federal Democratic Front.

His visit comes at a time when Nepal-India relations are going through a delicate phase. While his meetings are officially party-level engagements, they are being closely watched in both Kathmandu and New Delhi.

One possible agenda during his meeting with Prime Minister Oli could include laying the groundwork for a potential visit by the Nepali Prime Minister to India in the coming weeks—a diplomatic move that could help reset strained ties between the two neighbors. Chauthaiwale is expected to wrap up his Nepal visit by Friday.