KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to hold a meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, today (Friday).

The two leaders will engage in sideline discussions during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit.

As per the Prime Minister’s official itinerary, the meeting is scheduled for 4 PM on Friday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, where Modi is staying.

Meanwhile, the Nepali delegation, led by PM Oli, is staying at the Shangri-La Hotel, which is approximately a 15-minute drive from Modi’s hotel.

Sources suggest that the discussion between the two leaders is expected to last 20 to 30 minutes, though it could extend further if the conversation remains productive and engaging.

Accompanying PM Oli at the meeting will be six senior Nepali officials, including Foreign Minister Dr. Arju Rana Deuba, Chief Advisor Bishnu Rimal, and economic expert Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada. Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal and Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai will also be present.

The BIMSTEC summit, set to take place today, will see leaders from member nations addressing key regional issues.

Apart from attending the summit, PM Oli will stay in Bangkok until Saturday morning as part of his official visit to Thailand. Since arriving on Tuesday, he has engaged in bilateral talks with the Thai Prime Minister, met business representatives, and delivered a speech at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). On Thursday evening, he attended a dinner event for BIMSTEC leaders.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Modi, who landed in Bangkok on Thursday, is also preparing for his upcoming visit to Sri Lanka—his first since his re-election.

Before departing for Thailand, Modi emphasized the importance of BIMSTEC, stating, “I look forward to meeting the leaders of BIMSTEC nations and discussing ways to strengthen regional cooperation with a focus on our people’s shared interests.”

Following the summit, Modi will travel to Sri Lanka. Despite his tight schedule, he has prioritized a meeting with PM Oli.

The two leaders last met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, where PM Oli extended an invitation to Modi to visit Nepal. However, efforts to arrange Modi’s visit to Nepal or a reciprocal visit by Oli to India have yet to materialize.