Vikram Misri (file photo)

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is likely to visit Nepal next month, which will be the first high-level bilateral visit after the new government led by PM Balendra Shah took charge. While Nepali media reported that the visit could take place on 11–12 May, official sources said the dates were still being worked out. Both sides see the visit as an opportunity to further expand cooperation in a number of areas. According to sources, the visit was proposed when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his counterpart Shishir Khanal on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius earlier this month. This was the first high-level contact between the two countries after Shah took charge. It is also expected that the Egyptians will extend an official invitation to the King for the visit on behalf of Modi. However, as diplomatic sources said, both sides need to discuss the focus and priorities of the new government before proceeding with any ministerial visit. It is noteworthy that the new government of Nepal has hosted high ranking officials of America and China.