Nepali Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat will be visiting India next week at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said here Friday.

The foreign minister will visit New Delhi from Sept.11 to 13, just a few days ahead of Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's maiden visit to the southern neighbor.

"The foreign minister's trip to India, which is going to take place ahead of prime minister's forthcoming visit, will play a crucial role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries," the foreign ministry said in a press statement.

Prime Minister Dahal is all set to pay an official visit to India from Sept.15 to 18, according to the Nepali Prime Minister's Office.

Dahal is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Sept.16, officials said.

This will be the first overseas visit of the Nepali prime minister since he took office in August. 

Source : XINHUA