BIG DIPLOMACY: Prime Minister Balendra Shah to Hold High-Level Meeting With 23 EU Ambassadors

A 23-member European Union delegation, including ambassadors and deputy heads of mission from across Europe, is set to meet Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Tuesday in Kathmandu. The visit is part of the EU’s annual diplomatic gathering and marks only the second collective interaction between PM Shah and foreign diplomats since he took office on March 27. The delegation is expected to discuss Nepal-EU relations, trade, investment, climate action, and future cooperation with the new government.

PM Shah’s decision to avoid one-on-one meetings with foreign diplomats has already sparked major discussion in political and diplomatic circles. Earlier, he refused separate meetings with senior US officials, while the planned visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was also postponed. Despite this, the EU says it wants to strengthen ties with Nepal and support the country’s development priorities through closer cooperation with the government, private sector and youth leaders.